Conemaugh Township wins 9th WestPAC golf crown
SOMERSET -- The Conemaugh Township golf team has been exceptional this year, dropping only one regular season match. The squad entered Wednesday's WestPAC Tournament Championship at Somerset Country Club as the heavy favorite.
Conemaugh Township (18-1) lived up to the billing, shooting a team total of 342 and taking four of the top five spots to earn its third straight conference title and ninth overall.
"This means a lot to us to see how we've steadily improved over the last few years," said Conemaugh Township coach Adam Thomas. "This is a good tournament and a good conference. We are sad to see it go, but are looking forward to seeing what the future holds in the Heritage."
Senior Jack Ankeny led Conemaugh Township with a 77 to repeat as individual champion. Despite opening his round with four straight bogeys, he bounced back and finished the day 5-over par. Ankeny was the only player in the field to shoot a round in the 70's.
"This is definitely pretty sweet," Ankeny said of going back-to-back. "The day was interesting - a lot of ups and downs - but we pushed through and were able to finish with a pretty good score. It has been a fun ride at the WestPAC tournament.
"Four straight bogeys to open the day didn't help, but I trusted my game and kept my composure and finished even par on the back."
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Thomas spoke highly of his senior stalwart.
"This just shows his fortitude," Thomas said of Ankeny. "He is tough. He has gained a lot of experience over the years."
Ankeny's teammates junior Sam Sharbaugh (83) and freshman Ben Steinbeck (89) finished second and fourth, respectively. Conemaugh Valley's Hayden Lucas claimed third with an 88 while Conemaugh Township's Alex Gregory took fifth with a 93.
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"I am proud that all four kids finished in the top five and made First-Team All Conference," Thomas said of his players.
Rockwood grabbed second in the team standings with a 399 while Conemaugh Valley placed third with a 419.
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Conemaugh Township will head to the District 5 Class 2A Tournament Championship next Tuesday at Iron Masters with one goal in mind.
"We're hoping to win a district championship and we're hoping to send several individuals to the state championships - both boys and girls," Thomas said.
Conemaugh Township fell to Bedford on Tuesday in a regular season match, 200-215. The Bisons will likely be the only team standing in the way of Conemaugh Township at districts. Ankeny knows he and his teammates will need to bring their A-game to hoist a District 5 title.
"I am definitely excited," Ankeny said of the D5 tourney. "It is going to be tough. We have to play our best to beat Bedford."
Team standing
1. Conemaugh Township (342): Jack Ankeny 77, Sam Sharbaugh 83, Ben Steinbeck 89, Alex Gregory 93
2. Rockwood (399): Johnathan Felesky 96, Ian Reilly 94, Maddox Sanner 94, Alex Barclay 115
3. Conemaugh Valley (419): Hayden Lucas 88, Will Horner 116, Evan Fyock 102, Evan Johnson 113
4. North Star (437): Parker Scherer 98, Eli Hostetler 100, Glendon Griffith 102, Maddy Perrin 137
5. Shanksville-Stonycreek (451): Alec Thiele 108, Owen Boozer 103, Aaron Maga 111, Cale Kosic 129
6. Ferndale (481): Caleb Fenton 116, Josh Mitchell 114, Owen Rutledge 116, Alex Lushko 135
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Ankeny earns individual WestPAC title; Conemaugh Township wins gold
