GOLF SEASON PREVIEWS: Greencastle-Antrim, Waynesboro may fight for 2nd place again
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Jeremy Eby, 15th year, 218-285 (.433)
Last year: 23-7, 2nd in Mid Penn Colonial Division
Returning starters: Chad Harbaugh (jr., 88.8 avg.), John Williams (jr., 91.7), Jacob DeCarli (so., 92.3), Ethan Clever (sr., 93.3), Kurt Kline (sr., 95.5)
Other top players: Logan Moon (sr.), Brandon Clark (sr.), Rowan Lewis (sr.), Amanda Steier (fr.).
Outlook: Eby said, "Although we lost our No. 1 player (Hunter Heuer), we should be very similar to last year. We have a great group who works hard and really loves the game. Our goal is to compete with Chambersburg and try to play at their level, but realistically we're fighting for second place. I'm curious to see how it plays out."
Notes: Heuer led with an 81.6 average a year ago ... DeCarli, Clever, Harbaugh, Williams and Kline all qualified for the Mid Penn Tournament, but did not advance to the District 3 event.
Season opener: Today, at home (Greencastle G.C.), noon.
James Buchanan Rockets
Coach: Mark Wise, 10th year, 126-323 (.390).
Last year: 8-22 in Mid Penn Colonial Division.
Returning starters: Jacob Suder (jr., 79.1 avg.), Toby Sowers (sr., 92.5), Kyle Buchanan (sr.).
Other top players: Spencer Dofflemyer (sr.), Claire Alfree (so.).
Outlook: "We have a very, very, very young team," Wise said. "Most of the guys who came out that were not on the team last year are new to the game. Jacob is playing and we expect good things from him, and Toby is solid behind him. But we're looking for a No. 3 and 4 player. Claire played this summer and we hope to get her qualified for the Mid Penn Tournament."
Notes: Suder qualified for the District 3 Tournament on the number from Mid Penns last year ... He had a great first day at districts, shooting 77, but had to settle for a tie for 29th.
Season opener: Today, at Greencastle G.C., noon.
Shippensburg Greyhounds
Coach: Brad Horgos, fourth year, 8-82
Last year: 0-30
Returning starters: Evan Mowery (sr.), Jim Smith (jr.), Tanner Greenawalt (so.).
Other top players: Dillon LaBonte (so.), Carson Helfrick (fr.), Adam Maring (fr.).
Outlook: Horgos said, "We're better, and deeper, this year. I think a couple of the guys should be on the bubble to making it to the postseason. Our four best players are all sophomores and freshmen, so potentially we should get better every year. Smith has gotten better each year since he was a freshman. We're still in a rebuilding mode, but hopefully we're starting to climb out."
Notes: The Hounds were 0-30 in each of the past two seasons, with very inexperienced teams ... Zaen Miller was Ship's top player last year and he reached the Mid Penn Tournament.
Season opener: Today, at Greencastle G.C., noon.
Waynesboro Indians
Coach: Ryan Henderson, 16th season, 328-176 (.651)
Last year: 19-11, Mid Penn Colonial Division.
Returning starters: Nick Franki (sr., 78.8 avg.), Zach McKusker (sr., 90.8), Sam Franki (jr., 92.0), Erika Cauffman (sr., 92.8), Olivia Gardenhour (so., 93.0).
Other top players: Paul Steiger (so.), Taylor Zimmerman (sr.), Jessica Barber (so.), Robert Sirk, Jonathan Sirk.
Outlook: "Nick is my horse and is very capable of leading the team," Henderson said. "Olivia has been playing a lot of golf lately and she's improved a great deal in the last 12 months. Sam Franki has improved a couple of strokes and might be our X-factor this year. We finished behind Greencastle too many times, but only by a shot or two – I'd like to see us come on top of that battle this year."
Notes: Gardenhour was 12th in the District 3 girls tourney; Nick Franki qualified for districts, but missed the cut after the first day ... Cauffman is currently injured, but hopes to come back and qualify for districts again.
Season opener: Today, at Greencastle G.C., noon.