WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Ready to go for the spring. That was the goal of Pennsylvania College of Technology golf coach
Rob Lytle last September going into what he described as the program's "most aggressive fall tournament schedule" as it prepared for another run at the United East Conference championship and a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Championship.
Led by senior standout Peyton Mussina of Montoursville, the Wildcats are poised to pick up where they left off after eight fall outings — including winning the United East Fall Preview for the third year in a row where Mussina medaled for the third straight time — when they take to the links on Saturday and Sunday in the Pennsylvania Classic hosted by Penn State Altoona on the Penn State Blue Course.
This weekend's event will be the first of four two-day tournaments for players to hone their games leading to the conference championship on April 25-26.
"I was happy with how the fall panned out," Lytle said. "We played so many tournaments in the fall that it did limit our spring season, but if you look at our schedule, we picked some of the best tournaments to play in. This weekend is going to be a great tournament. It will be a great test for our players."
During his three-year career as a Wildcat, Mussina has 18 top-three finishes, including medaling nine times, placing second six times and taking third three times. As of March 19, Mussina was ranked 21st nationally among D-III golfers and second in Region 3.
Joining Mussina are returning senior Will Orwig of Mifflintown, junior Gunner Redmond of Lock Haven, and sophomores Brady Handy of Huntingdon and Logan Gawlinski of Kittanning.
Others expected to see action are juniors Jordan Lestochi of Altoona and Brandon Vaughn of Chambersburg, as well as freshmen Matt Mesaris of Pittston and Joel Toburen of Boyertown.
"We've got nine really good players. We've been able to play since mid-February, so we've been outside. I'm excited for the spring," the two-time UE Coach of the Year said. "The boys have been working hard, really hard.
"They know what's at stake. They know what the goal is — to win a third conference championship — and they are focused on that. We're going to be playing a lot of golf in the month of April, so when we get to the conference, the ultimate goal is to win it."
