In a tight matchup between district champions, the St. Joseph’s boys golf team secured a slot in the state championships, coming up victorious over District V champions Rockwood by a team score of 315-329. The 14-stroke victory propelled the Wolves to a second straight state championship berth.
The team’s top duo of Jack Mangene and Matt Steyers delivered for the Wolves in a big way, posting respective scores of 73 and 77 on the day. Following Mangene and Steyers were Ryan Peachey and RJ Marsh, shooting scores of 81 and 84.
For head coach Chad Walsh and his team, a trip back to states was a vision and motivation that began before the season.
“This was part of their goal after they walked off of the 18th hole at last year’s state championship,’ Walsh said. “They wanted to get back, and they want to win.”
Getting past a fellow district champion bodes well for the squad, as the chance for a state title now comes into focus. In last year’s AA team competition, the Wolves took home third place, just 12 strokes behind champion Sewickley Academy. Both Marsh and Mangene managed Top 10 individual performances that day, posting respective scores of 79 and 80.
“We took another step today,” Walsh said. “Rockwood is a great team, and we are fortunate to be able to keep this thing going. I’m so proud of the work these outstanding kids put into everything that they do.”
The state championships will be hosted at Heritage Hills in York on Thursday, Oct. 25.
