Pictured above: North Pocono’s Gwen Powell in file photo. (Tony Callaio Photo)
Showing the resilience that produced her third District 2 championship earlier this month, North Pocono junior Gwen Powell played her way into medal contention on the back nine during Monday’s opening round of the two-day Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Individual Golf Championships.
Only three players out of 36 in the Class 3A girls field posted a higher front nine score than Powell, who then shot even-par, 36 for the second-best score on the back nine.
Powell finished with an 80, leaving her with in 11th place at the midway point of the state tournament, which awards medals to the top 10 players, including ties.
The front nine included three double bogeys, two of them at 7 and 9 as Powell went 5-over for the last three holes to make the turn on the 5,418-yard, par-72 White Course in 44.
Of the 35 other players, 25 shot better front-nine scores than Powell, 7 more matched her and 1 withdrew. Only two posted higher scores.
In the District 2 championship, Powell shook off a three-hole stretch of 7-over that included a 9 on the scorecard.
Powell started her turnaround immediately after heading to the back nine Monday. She took advantage of the three par-5s on the back nine with birdies on two at 10 and 18. In between, the had five pars and two bogeys.
There are six District 2 girls entered in the state tournament – three each in Class 3A and 2A.
Honesdale’s Kayla Benson also improved on the back nine to finish the day tied for 14th at 82.
Benson shot 43 on the front and 39 on the back. She was 5-over after 5, parred three straight holes, but then had a double bogey at 9. On the back, she had six pars and three bogeys.
Tunkhannock sophomore Hallie Brown had an eagle on the 397-yard, par-5, sixth hole to get back to 1-over and into a tie for third. She played the next three holes, however, in 6-over. After pars on the first five holes on the back nine, she finished out a round of 43-41—84 for a tie for 16th.
Scranton Prep’s Gianna Cafarella had the highest District 2 girls place finish on the day, ending up tied for 10th in Class 2A after shooting 82.
Cafarella was 5-over after 4 and played the last four in 5-over, but she was at even par for the 10 holes in between.
Teammate Miranda Karoscik is tied for 17th at 88. She struggled on the par-5s, playing the four on the 5,479-yard Blue Course in 9-over while playing the other 14 holes in 7-over.
Holy Redeemer’s Arden Brunn is tied for 28th at 96.
MORE COVERAGE
Class 3A scores: PIAA Class 3A girls golf scores – NEPA Sports Nation.
Class 2A scores: PIAA Class 2A girls golf scores – NEPA Sports Nation.
