GLENSIDE, PA-- The 2018 Philadelphia Catholic League golf championship took place Tuesday, October 2, at LuLu Country Club in Glenside. La Salle College High School continued its dominant play in this championship round as the overall winner for the fourth consecutive year and its 16th Title in 18 years.
The Explorers finished with a final score of (457). It was very close this time, however, as St. Joseph’s Prep came in second at (459). Devon Prep (486), Bonner & Prendergast (495), Cardinal O’Hara (504), Roman Catholic (511), Archbishop Carroll (515) and Archbishop Wood (527) placed third through eighth on the day.
La Salle 2018 PCL Golf Champions -Pictured (L to R): Darren Nolan (freshman), Luke Corcoran (freshman), Matt Lafond (junior), Matt Law (senior), Steve Lorenzo (junior), Frankie Gregor (senior), Griffin Caulfield (junior), and Core Haydu (sophomore) (photo- courtesy La Salle High School)
Steve Lorenzo, Matt Lafond and Luke Corcoran led the way for La Salle each with a score of 74. St. Joe’s Joe Morganti finished second in the tournament at 72. Prevailing, as the overall winner, was new-comer to the PCL League this year, Devon Prep sophomore Ryan McCabe (71). It was especially exciting for him going in to the championship as he found out just a few days earlier that he was leading the PCL in points.
“I felt pretty confident. It's definitely more competitive," said McCabe.
Pictured with their trophy's on left Devon Prep sophomore Ryan McCabe First Place Individual Title with St. Joe's Prep junior Joe Morganti who won 2nd place Individual Title (photo- Dan McCarty for PSD)
Freshman Chalea Barnett of Archbishop Wood claimed the girls’ individual title with a low score of 84. Hallahan’s senior Tori Wajda (92) followed in second and Little Flower’s Kassidy Foley (117) was third.
"It feels really good,” said Barnett. “It’s nice to see that my hard work is paying off.”
As a female freshman playing in the boys’ championship, Barnett was certainly in for a challenge.
“I was nervous but I knew I was prepared and ready to try my best,” she said.
There were four girls teams that also took part in the championship including John W. Hallahan, Bonner & Prendergast, St. Hubert and Little Flower.
Pictured from left to right: Individual winners Little Flower junior Kassidy Foley, 3rd, Hallahan senior Tori Wajda, 2nd, and 1st place winner, Archbishop Wood freshman Chalea Barnett. (photo - Dan McCarty for PSD).
One thing that made this a special season for Hallahan is that it was the first time they were playing with a full team and a first time taking home a PCL Championship Title since 1996.
The team finished in first place followed by Little Flower in second and St. Hubert in third.
Leading the Hallahan team was Wajda and sophomore Ava Miller.
"It was the greatest reward anyone could ask for. All of the the hard and dedication paid off. I wouldn’t want to end my high school career any other way. I’m so proud to have been a part of it all,” said Wajda.
"My team was very determined every single match to do their best and it didn’t matter whether we played against the boys or girls , it only made us work harder," said Wajda.
"My team this season was so supportive, nice, and fun to be around. I could not ask for a better team this year," said Miller.
"To bring back a trophy for Hallahan in 20 years felt awesome. It felt even better knowing that it was for golf, a less know sport at Hallahan."
Miller hopes that this championship season will encourage other Hallahan students to join the team.
Pictured from (L to R) Ava Miller, Maria Cavalcante, Kyleigh Monohan, Rachael Flannigan, Tori Wajda, Tereze Santamala, Brianna Kimbrel, and Liz Mulson, (photo-courtesy Hallahan Athletics)
Members of the Little Flower golf team. Pictured (L to R) Kassidy Foley, Maura Budd and Kelly Bauer. (Photo- Dan McCarty for PSD).