WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — After guiding his team to a United East Conference championship and NCAA tournament berth during his first full season — and with all of his players returning — Pennsylvania College of Technology golf coach Rob Lytle is optimistic for the upcoming 2023 season.

"We want to keep building on the success we had last year," Lytle said. The Wildcats are scheduled to open their fall season Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Elizabethtown College Fall Invitational at Hershey Country Club East.

"I am obviously looking forward to the fall season. It's nice to have the (United East) conference championship-winning team back together," Lytle said. "Junior Peyton Mussina (Montoursville, Pa.); junior Will Orwig (Mifflintown, Pa.); junior Gavin Baer (Bainbridge, Pa); senior Trevor Keaton (Worcester, Pa.); and sophomore Gunner Redmon (Lock Haven, Pa.) have returned to school, playing better than in the spring."

Also returning from last year's team are sophomore Brock Hamblin (Middlebury, Pa.); sophomore Brendon Vaughn (Chambersburg, Pa.); and junior Nate Williamson (Lafayette Hill, Pa.).

Mussina led last year's squad with a 75.3 scoring average and was named to the United East Conference First Team, while Redmond and Orwig both were awarded UE Second Team honors and Lytle was named United East Coch of the Year.

"We also have a nice group of freshmen battling it out for spots on the team: Sam Wetmiller (Selinsgrove, Pa.); Brett Keenan (Lafayette Hill, Pa); Luke Brooks (Tyrone, Pa); and Logan Gawlinski (Kittanning, Pa.). All have been working hard in practice," Lytle said. "The freshmen have been pretty surprising," the coach added, noting that his travel squad will consist of eight players.

"The (seven-event) fall tournament schedule is one I am looking forward to. It is one of the best schedules you can put together. We will be competing at some really nice courses and against some great competition," Lytle said.

The premier event, Lytle said, will be the D-III Northeast Elite on Sept. 30 at Williamsport Country Club. Penn College will co-host with Penn State Altoona and the field will include champions or runners-up from 15 conferences.

"I want to expose the players to some really nice courses, some longer courses, and good competition, giving them that experience and getting them ready for the spring," Lytle said.

"They know they want to continue the success from last year and I think that's been a driving factor. The incoming freshmen see what kind of success we've had and they want to be part of that, too."