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Clarion Area Bobcats Boys Golf Team Claims First District Nine Championship Since 1990

(Images by Jackie Kerle) Above: Clarion Bobcats – District Nine Boys Golf Champions – (L-R) Avery Kline, McKayla Kerle, Kameron Kerle, Lucas Mitrosky, Owen Kriebel, Devon Lauer and Coach Jay Kerle

 The Clarion Area Boys Golf Team claimed the 2021 District Nine Class-AA Championship on Monday (September 27th) at Pennhills Club golf course in Bradford.

This was the first District Nine Title for the Cats since 1990, the second year of back-to-back titles.

Kameron on the 18th hole.

Six teams competed for the Class-AA title.

The Bobcats carded a 341. The Kane Wolves finished in second, seven strokes off the pace, at 348. The St. Marys Flying Dutchmen finished third with a 353. Fourth place went to the Ridgway Elkers, who carded a 385. The Cranberry Berries, with a 394 were fifth and in sixth place, with a 404 total was the Coudersport Falcons.

As they did throughout the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference season, the Bobcats showed a real balance in scoring. Kameron Kerle led the Cats with an 82, with his sister Mckayla finishing one shot behind him at 83. And one shot behind Mckayla was Devon Lauer with an 84. Lucas Mitrosky shot a 92 and Owen Kriebel carded a 94. Also competing on the links for the Bobcats, was Avery Kline.

Mckayla Kerle

Their were fifty golfers in the Class-AA competition, with the Top 16 advancing to the second round, at Pennhills, on Saturday, October 2nd. A team of consisting of the Top 5 players, representing District Nine,will move on to sub-regionals, which will be held at the course at Treasure Lake in DuBois on Thursday, October 7th. That team will play District Ten. The winner will advance to the state tournament.

Though they didn’t field a complete team, Moniteau’s Jacob Felsing had the low score of the round, shooting a 76.

Devon Lauer

The rest of the sixteen man field advancing to the second round, includes: Kane’s Curt Barner (80), St. Marys’ Lucas Benjamin (80), Clarion’s Kameron Kerle (82), Kane’s Max Bizzak (82), Coudersport’s Brady Streich (83), Clarion’s Devon Lauer (84), St. Marys’ Vinnie Lenz (84), Forest Area’s Ethan Carll (86), Ridgway’s Collin Porter (86), Cameron County’s Eastyn Solveson (87), Brookville’s Killian Radel (88), Clarion-Limestone’s Brady Fowkes (88), Clarion-Limestone’s Nick Aaron (89), Kane’s Derek Peterson (90) and Clarion’s Lucas Mitrosky (92).

Lucas finished regulation in a three-way tie, for the last spot, with Cranberry’s Dane Wenner and Zeelan Hargenrader of Forest Area. Lucas won the playoff hole with a par.

The crowd watching the sudden death playoff for the last spot to advance to the 2nd round. Lucas Mitrosky ended up winning.

McKayla’s score of 83 counted only towards the Bobcats’ team score. She will not play on Saturday, as she will compete as an individual at the District Nine Girls’ Championships, next Monday (October 4th) at Clarion Oaks Golf Course. 

There were two teams and sixteen golfers in the Class-AAA Team Championships. DuBois shot a 351 and Bradford carded a 363.

Lucas Mitrosky- tee shot on 1st hole of sudden death playoff.

Clarion Head Coach Jay Kerle and his wife Assistant Coach Jackie Kerle are really pleased with their team’s performance. “We are beyond proud of our team of young, talented golfers.

“To have 6 golfers qualify for districts is an accomplishment in itself, but they accomplished something today that hasn’t been done in over 30 years.

“Winning the District 9 title is a great reward for each of these players who have dedicated countless hours to improving their golf games. Hard work, determination and a positive attitude can win golf tournaments and this team is proof of that. 

“We advanced three players today for the 2nd round, Kam, Devon and Lucas.

“Lucas won a sudden death playoff to fill the final 16th spot. He teed off on hole 1 with a large crowd following closely behind.  Dane Wenner from Cranberry and Zeelan Hargenrader from Forest were his sudden death opponents.”

Owen Kriebel

(Thanks to Jackie Kerle for the images. Congratulations to Kameron, Mckayla, Devon, Lucas, Owen and Avery on winning the 2021 District Nine Class-AA Boys Golf Championship!!!! And Congratulations to all of this year’s participants!!!!)

Avery Kline
Kameron and teammates carrying Lucas’s clubs after he won the sudden death playoff hole.