State College boys golf proud of season but disappointed in 2nd place at states
Through puffy, red eyes, members of the State College boys golf team admitted they weren’t satisfied by tying for second place Wednesday in the team race at states — but they remained proud of their overall season.
The State College Little Lions tied Radnor as the runner-up in the single-day PIAA Class 3A team championships at Penn State’s Blue Course, clinching the second-best team finish ever by a Centre County golf team. (The best finish came when State High won the state title in 2021.) But that didn’t serve as a consolation for a team that came up just one stroke short on the final hole Wednesday.
“I’m proud we pushed through tough conditions today. A lot of golf the past couple weeks,” senior Brady Wager said, alluding to drizzle and temperatures that reached 50 degrees only on paper. “Obviously, I’m disappointed in our finish. But, yeah, I’m still proud.”
Wednesday served as a see-saw of emotions and golf scores. State College and eventual winner Unionville traded blows as if it were a heavyweight prizefight; the Little Lions would take a two-stroke lead and, 15 minutes later, Unionville would overtake them. It was back-and-forth all day until the final hole — when all team members, save one Little Lion, watched from the side and silently prayed.
That final Little Lion needed a birdie to force a playoff. But an errant drive into the trees on the final hole — which was the par-5 No. 9, since they started the day on No. 10 — put the golfer at a disadvantage. State High’s golfer was forced to keep his second shot low, found himself in the rough and couldn’t overcome the mistakes.
Unionville quietly embraced in the background, while State College’s golfers stared at their shoes. Little Lions coach Greg Wilson immediately hugged his final golfer, gathered around his team and told them they had nothing to be ashamed of.
“I was proud of them,” Wilson reiterated. “They worked hard, and this has been our only loss in the last month. I mean, we won the Wheeling Invitational at Sunnehanna, and then we went on to win sectionals and then the Mid-Penn Championships and districts, regionals and then off to states here.”
Wednesday marked the fifth straight year that State College qualified for the team race, a difficult accomplishment considering no more than eight teams typically make it. State High won in 2021, then finished fifth, fourth, third — and, on Wednesday, second.
“So we’re moving up,” Wilson added with a smile. “They’re just going to come back, work harder for next year and hope to win a title. That seems to be the progression.”
The Class 3A race wasn’t without some controversy, but neither Wilson nor his golfers seemed to pay it much mind. Unionville was assessed a late two-stroke penalty that only became known as State College’s final golfer finished up his final hole. Had he been aware of that penalty, he could’ve played the hole more conservatively — because the Little Lions would’ve been leading by one stroke, as opposed to trailing by one stroke.
Instead, he double-bogeyed his final hole. But PIAA tournament director Keenan Huss explained to the CDT there were no mistakes or malicious intent with the delayed penalty. One of Unionville’s players was assessed a penalty after using his foot to test the sand in the trap near the final green. Before that penalty was implemented — after being spotted by a volunteer unaffiliated with another school — it needed to be discussed with other officials and then acknowledged by the player, who confessed to it.
By the time the formal process played out, the tournament had basically finished. State College and Radnor tied for a 1-under 287, while Unionville’s winning score was changed to a 2-under 286 (from a 4-under 284).
“We had to finish either way. Whether the penalty counted or not, it didn’t matter,” Wilson said. “We didn’t finish the way we should have, and so second place just gives us something to build on.”
Over the last three holes, State College’s five golfers — only the top four scores factor into the overall — combined to finish 7-over, compared to Unionville’s even par and Radnor’s 3-under.
Charlie Ladrido paced the Little Lions by carding a team-best 3-under 69. He was followed by Wager (71), Luke Ladrido (73), Luke McGraw (74) and Jacky Sun (74). McGraw also finished with a ninth-place medal during the separate Class 3A individual tournament that ended Tuesday.
“I’m proud of the team and how we fought back,” Charlie Ladrido said. “I expected a little bit more; I expected to win. But I’m still proud of how we came out and played.”
Of the five State College golfers who took part Wednesday, only Wager is a senior. All of the Little Lions’ other golfers are set to return next season.
And, looking ahead, Ladrido had a message for the greater community.
“Continue to have faith in us,” Charlie said. “I think we’re gonna get it done next year — and, hopefully, we’ll give this town a state championship.”
