Mckayla Kerle Wins District Nine Class-AA Girls Golf Championship, Will Join Brother Kameron At States

(Images by Theresa Forrest ) Above: Mckayla with her parents Jay and Jackie after claiming the 2021 District Nine Class-AA Girls Golf Championship

Clarion Area junior Mckayla Kerle won the District Nine Class-AA Girls’ Golf Championship, at Clarion Oaks Golf Club on Monday, October 4th.

Mckayla shot an 80, to finish first in the field of twenty-nine golfers and eight strokes ahead of second place finisher Chloe Fritch of Karns City, who carded an 88. Moniteau’s Emma Covert finished in third with a 96. The trio from three Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference schools will now advance to the PIAA State Class-AA Girls State Tournament, on Monday, October 18th at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York.

McKayla finished in second place at districts at Pinecrest Country Club in Brookville, as a freshman, advancing to regionals at Toms Run Golf Course in Blairsville. As a sophomore, she finished fourth at Districts in Punxsutawney Country Club, missing the State Tournament by five strokes. 

It will be a family affair at States, as Mckayla will be joined by her brother Kameron, a freshman at Clarion Area. who advanced to the PIAA Class-AA Boys State Tournament, also to be held on Monday, October 18th at Heritage Hills. Kameron advanced after finishing third in the District Nine Boys meet, which concluded on Saturday, at Pinehills Club in Bradford.

Mckayla and Kameron may also get to compete for the PIAA State Boys Golf Team Title, along with fellow Cats, Devon Lauer, Owen Kriebel and Lucas Mitrosky. The Bobcats, who won the District Nine Class-AA Championship, on Monday, September 27th, at Pinehills, will compete on Thursday, October 7th for the opportunity to advance to the State Tournament.

They will play District Ten Champion Union City at Treasure Lake Silver Course in DuBois. The winner of that match advances to States. The State Team Championships will be at Heritage Hills on Monday, October 25th.

Moniteau won the District Nine Girls Class-AA Team title and DuBois won both, the Boys and Girls Class-AAA events.

Clarion Area’s Emily Troese also competed in the tournament.

Mckayla and Kameron’s parents (and coaches) Jay and Jackie Kerle had this to say, ” We are very proud of both McKayla and Kameron for accomplishing the goal that they set for themselves this golf season, which was to make it to the state tournament.

“McKayla has been very close to making the state tournament the past couple of years, but each time she’s had a bad hole or two that prevented her from advancing. We are so proud of her for holding it together and rebounding back after a rocky start today. We knew she could do it- she’s not a kid that gives up easily!

“Kameron has had an amazing first year of varsity golf.  This is the year we’ve been waiting for- the year when our kids could play together and what a great season it has been. We can’t wait to take them to states.”

When asked how it feels to be advancing, Kameron, a young man of few words, responded by saying, “It feels good, it feels great”In response to the same question, McKayla said, “It doesn’t feel like that big of a win to me, the club championship at the golf course felt so much bigger” 

And how does it feel to be advancing together?

McKayla said “Annoying because I’m going to have to ride in a car with him for hours. Then get ripped on for what I shoot because whatever I shoot his will be better”

Kameron said “It feels good because we all get to go as a family.”

(Thanks to Theresa Forrest for her images. Congratulations Mckayla, Kameron and Mom and Dad!!!!)