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Some athletes set goals as motivation and never reach them. This isn't the case with Gettysburg High junior golfer Matt Hardman.
In his three-year high school career, Hardman has accomplished what he's set out to do -- thus far.
Freshman year? Hardman wanted to qualify for the Mid-Penn Conference Championships.
Check.
As a sophomore, the Warrior wanted to make the District 3 Championships and the PIAA East Regional Championships.
Check. Check.
This season, Hardman had his eyes on a state championship appearance.
Check.
And while not a personal goal, Hardman can add his second All-Area Golfer of the Year award to his list of achievements.
So what's next on Hardman's list?
"Of course, his goal for next year is going to be to place high in states. That's what he's going to work for," said Matt Verdirame, Hardman's coach.
For Hardman, the work has already begun. Shortly after he suffered a disappointing Day 2 in the PIAA Championships, where he dropped from sixth to 21st in the final standings, Hardman decided not to play basketball for the Warriors this winter. Instead, he'll be focusing solely on his golf game.
"It was my drive to get better and it was also how I played at states," Hardman said of his decision to forego his junior basketball season. "I saw that I'm able to play with the best players in our state. I feel like, next year, if I can improve some stuff this offseason, I'll be able to place pretty well."
While the high
In those, Hardman said he will focus on improving his putting. His short game betrayed him on the second day of the state finals as he shot an 8-over 79 with six three-putts for bogeys and a four-putt.
Hardman and his coaches at Gettysburg, Verdirame and assistant coach Scott Henry, all agreed the junior drove the ball as well as any player in the finals. But Hardman believes he can improve his ball striking even more. He'll develop a workout regimen in the coming weeks with his swing coach, New Oxford's Ted Sheftic.
"I'm going to work out whenever it's too cold to play and try to get stronger," Hardman said. "But I can hit it farther. If I can add 10 yards, that will make a lot of a difference in my game."
Since Hardman arrived at Gettysburg High, Verdirame said he's seen Hardman grow from a solid player into a team leader. This is most evident when Hardman talks about his other goal for next season -- win a district championship as a team.
While Hardman won three individual tournaments and finished out of the top 10 just once during the regular season, the Warriors finished first in the team standings only once. That came at Eagles Crossing on Sept. 9.
Verdirame said an improved team effort will come as long as Hardman continues to lead the Warriors.
"He's really taken over the team and everyone on our team really respects him," Verdirame said. "I think Matt has pulled them along and I know this year we've got a couple of other kids on the team that look at Matt and say, 'We want to improve as a team.'"
Hardman has already told his coaches and those close to him that is his ultimate goal.
"Golf is an individual sport, but at the same time we would be the first team to ever win the conference," Hardman said. "And that would mean a lot to be able to walk into the gym in 10 or 15 years and see our 2010 season up on that pennant thing. That would really mean a lot to go out our senior year as champions."
All-Area Golf Team
FIRST TEAM
--- Wes Ashton, So., South Western: Ashton consistently led a Mustang team that finished 36-6 in YAIAA Division I this season. Although he failed to qualify for districts after he qualified last season, Ashton averaged 80 in just his sophomore season.
--- Alex Daubert, Jr., Hanover: After being named to the second team last season, Daubert made the leap to the first squad after he improved his average by two strokes. Daubert started the season on fire, shooting scores of 72, 74 and 76 in his first three outings. He finished the year with a 24th-place finish in the YAIAA tournament and, like Statuto, fell victim in the rain-shortened District III tournament, in which he was tied for 33rd after the first round.
--- Matt Hardman, Jr., Gettysburg: Hardman keeps getting better. After being named All-Area Golfer of the Year last season, Hardman has earned the same distinction again. Hardman cut his average down by one stroke to 75 this season and was the only Hanover area golfer to advance to the PIAA championships. Hardman was within striking range of winning a state title after he shot a 72 on Day 1, but finished 21st after he shot a 79 in the final round.
--- Adam Poulson, So., Fairfield: For the second season in a row, Poulson earns a first-team distinction. Poulson continued to lead the Green Knights with his average score of 80. Poulson followed his freshman season, in which he finished 21st in the YAIAA tournament, with a ninth-place finish in that same competition this season.
--- Vince Statuto, Jr., Delone Catholic: Rain spoiled Statuto's chance to qualify for regionals this season. While he was on the right side of the cut after the first day of the District III tournament, the second round was cancelled due to inclement weather and Statuto's single-round score of 87 wasn't good enough. The consistent Squire junior still turned in the most impressive season. Statuto averaged 78 and shot above 80 only twice.
SECOND TEAM
--- Dalton Deardorff, Jr., Delone Catholic
--- Chase King, Jr., Gettysburg
--- Brady Leppo, Sr., South Western
--- Harry Shultz, Jr., Hanover
--- James Sturgill, Jr., Delone Catholic
