WAYNESBORO – Don’t blink, because the 2023-24 high school sports year is set to begin on Tuesday.
The Waynesboro Area Senior High School varsity golf season is the first among fall sports teams starting the 2023 season. The Mid-Penn Colonial Division season opener is Tuesday at Gettysburg National Golf Club. Tee time is 11 a.m.
Anything less than a division championship is probably below expectations. But it’s a new season, and anything can happen. Up and coming teams will try to derail Waynesboro’s dominance.
Playing for its fifth consecutive division title, Waynesboro returns a good nucleus of talent. Gone are Evan Stein and Ryan Shaffer. Stein and returner Tyler Fortney placed in the top five at last year’s Mid-Penn Conference Championship, with Fortney losing in a two-man playoff.
“We will certainly miss Evan Stein and Ryan Shaffer,” said Waynesboro coach Ryan Henderson. “They were integral parts of our success last year.
“We advanced five players to the Mid-Penn championship last year – and two on to the District 3 tournament. I would love to repeat those numbers again this year. It is certainly possible.”
Fortney was joined by returners Kellan Smith and Andrew Soffe at the conference championships, while junior Merissa Musolino just missed advancing to districts a year ago.
“Those three should lead the way for our team this year,” said Henderson of Fortney, Smith and Soffe.
Rounding out the top five should be the combination of Lincoln Gundacker, Luke Dunlap and Abby Byers.
“A few other new players could make a run for the top five as well,” Henderson said. “There’s lots of potential with some of these older but newer players.”
Henderson likes what he sees from this year’s group, which has shaped his outlook of the new season.
“I have a nice core group,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent behind them. I’m looking forward to working with them this season and watching them improve. We are certainly optimistic and hoping to defend our division title.”
The rest of the division includes Big Spring, Greencastle-Antrim, James Buchanan, Northern and Shippensburg.
ROSTER
Tyler Fortney, senior
Coach’s Comment: “Our number one player, returning (District 3) qualifier.”
Kellan Smith, senior
Coach’s Comment: “Returning Mid-Penn (Conference) qualifier, will contribute.”
Andrew Soffe, senior
Coach’s Comment: “Returning player, Mid-Penn qualifier, will contribute.”
Merissa Musolino, junior
Coach’s Comment: “Returning player, just missed districts last year.”
Lincoln Gundacker, senior
Coach’s Comment: “Returning player, has improved, could contribute this season.”
Luke Dunlap, senior
Coach’s Comment: “New player, great swing, fundamentally sound.”
Abby Byers, freshman
Coach’s Comment: “Great player, big expectations, may contribute on the varsity team.”
Storm Taylor, senior
Coach’s Comment: “New player, very athletic, lots of potential.”
Farin Parks, junior
Coach’s Comment: “New player, tall, has potential.”
Landon Crable, freshman
Coach’s Comment: “New player, hard worker, determined to improve.”
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Aug. 15 – at Gettysburg National Golf Club, 11 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 17 – at Greencastle Golf Course, 12 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 6 – at Eagles Crossing Golf Club (Carlisle), 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 – at Chambersburg Country Club, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 19 – at Range End Golf Course (Dillsburg), 2 p.m.
