Plenty of talented players to return for Shady Side Academy boys golf

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 2, 2018 | 8:30 PM

The Shady Side Academy boys golf team ended up with a 14-0 regular season record and claimed the Section 8-AAA crown for the second year in a row with a perfect 12-0 section mark.

“There were some good teams in our section,” SSA assistant coach Kyle Smith said. “To go 12-0 was an impressive accomplishment.”

The Indians qualified for the WPIAL team playoffs for the third year in a row and made the finals for the second year in a row.

The Indians finished third at WPIALs behind Central Catholic and Fox Chapel.

“The team made great strides again this year,” Smith said. “We will be one of the top competitors for the triple-A crown next year.”

Part of the reason for the optimism is that the Indians will lose only two starters in four-year varsity mainstay Jas Fuhrer and John Andros, both seniors.

Expected returning starters for 2019 will be juniors Brice Delaney, Grady Munroe and Patrick Walsh; sophomores Adam Lauer, who qualified for states in cross country, Charles Troutman and Garrett Fuhrer; along with freshman Weston Warden. Delaney has started for the varsity for three years while Munroe, Lauer and Troutman all have two years of varsity experience. Lauer has led the team in low stroke average for the last two years.

“We have two JV teams here, and both were competitive,” Smith said. “We look to sophomore Jack Todd and junior Cole Frischman to compete for varsity spots next year.

“Perhaps the most pleasant surprise to come out of the season was how our young guys stepped up into key roles for the team. We often had three sophomores and one freshman in the starting lineup. We will return five of the six players that started in the WPIALs back next year.”

Marty Stewart is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shady Side Academy