Veteran lineup puts together solid season for Shaler golf team

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, September 22, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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The Shaler boys golf team couldn’t follow up the first section title in school history with a title defense, but the Titans still figure to feature in the WPIAL team and individual playoff pictures.

Shaler beat Highlands on Sept. 17 in a dual match to improve to 7-2 in Section 7-3A. The Titans will grab the second playoff spot out to the section, finishing behind Fox Chapel, which is unbeaten.

What has helped Shaler is the solid core of players returning from last season. Senior Jacob Crissman, who placed sixth at WPIALs to reach the PIAA Tournament last season, has been playing well again this year.

Crissman also had a strong summer. He won the 2023 Shannopin Country Club Junior Championship and also won the Tri-State PGA junior tournament in June of 2023.

“He led our team last year in scoring,” Titans coach Chris Catanese said. “Jacob is always solid. He’s always working at his game. He’s always at the driving range.”

The section qualifiers for Class 3A were held Sept. 18, but the results were too late for this edition.

The Titans also brought back two other golfers, Jakob Skerlong and Colby Weber, who qualified for WPIALs last year.

Golf is a second sport for Weber. He has committed to pitch for East Carolina. Catanese said Shaler has had great success developing multi-sport athletes.

“I think a lot of these guys thought it was a cool second sport to play,” Catanese said. “I think guys realized that golf is something they can do their whole lives. Business-wise, they have a leg up in that world. I think a lot of these guys are good enough to play in college if they want to.”

Catanese said he is happy with what the Titans have accomplished this season.

Shaler’s goal this year is to reach the WPIAL finals as a team.

“These guys have been in the playoffs for three straight years,” Catanese said. “We missed by one spot the last two years.”

Tags: Shaler