2008 Penn State Behrend Men's Golf Season Preview
The 2008 Behrend Lions golf season is around the corner and third-year head coach James Bowen is excited about the team's potential.
"The preseason looks good," said Coach Bowen. "We have some highly talented freshmen and a couple other of first year players joining the team." Behrend has several returning players who are going to be competing for a spot in the line-up entering 2008.
Leading the Behrend Lions this season will be three talented seniors. Jonathan Arrigo (Erie/Mercyhurst Prep) is the team captain and the reigning winner of the program's Most Improved Player honor, while Bill Weeks (Pittsburgh/North Hills), and Craig Skuse (Oil City/Oil City) will also be relied upon to provide leadership. This group will be expected to mesh with the other returning players to produce several low scores for the blue and white.
The Behrend Lions junior class is deep with experience and skill. Rene Menjivar (Corry/Corry) was the program's recipient of the Rookie of the Year award in 2007, Anthony Mortillaro (Richboro/Brighton), Joseph Nelson (Warren/Warren) a second team All-AMCC performer, Pat Petraglia (Pittsburgh/Chartiers Valley), and Michael Sabolcik (Erie/McDowell) are all motivated to help the Behrend golf squad win the 2008 AMCC Championship. Another junior Ryan Antolik (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) joins the team this fall for the first time. Antolik is also a member of the Behrend baseball program.
Arrigo, Menjivar, and Nelson all turned in team low cards for the blue and white at different points during the season. Losing All-Conference senior Dave Kostanich to graduation will hurt, but Marc Neiswonger (Warren/Warren) returns with a year of experience under his belt as a sophomore, while Kevin Koerbel (Gibsonia/Deer Lakes) and Alex Weismiller (Erie/Harborcreek) appear to be a pair of talented freshmen.
"We have added a couple really good freshmen golfers this year," said Coach Bowen. "Both are very good players who will help the team."
Behrend continues to look to add depth to the women's program. Right now, freshman Andrea Schlaufman (Erie/McDowell) is representing the blue and white on the course.
The 2008 slate will be very competitive once again. This year a road trip to Pitt-Bradford will open the season on September 13. Then on Monday, September 15, the blue and white will battle at the Penn State Altoona Invite. The Behrend Lions will host numerous teams in the annual Behrend Invitational at Peek n' Peak on September 25.
Other schedule highlights include the the two-day Allegheny Gator Invitational on September 21 and 22. Five of the league's ten schools have captured the AMCC Golf Championship over the past eleven years. A season ago, Behrend finished seventh in the AMCC Championships. The team did win the title in 2004 and is preparing for its chance to claim another on October 5 and 6 at Tom's Run Golf Course in Blairsville, PA. The Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships will be on October 12 and 13.
"We have a realistic chance of winning the AMCC championship this year," said Coach Bowen. "This team could be as good as our championship team that won the AMCC title a couple years back."