Hampton golf team facing tougher climb to top of section

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 10, 2017 | 11:00 PM

The Hampton golf team has been the class of its section the past couple of years. That could be a tougher hill to climb this year, but the Talbots could get there with consistency.

Sitting at 5-4 and 4-2 in the section, the team already lost more section matches than it did the previous year. But the two-time reigning section champs remain in the thick of a playoff hunt thanks to solid contributions from a handful of seniors, particularly Justin Griffith, who has taken over leadership duties since PIAA finalist Ben Huber graduated.

“He's a good competitor and quiet team leader,” coach Bruce Steckel said. “He's got some of the younger ones and taken them under his wing. He's a good kid and good competitor.”

He also is one of the favorites when the Class AAA individual tournament comes to Nemacolin's Mystic Rock course later this year. As a junior, he shot 73 and finished tied for second in the WPIAL championship at Oakmont before barely missing a state tournament berth at Western Regionals.

“If he doesn't make it (to states), I'd be surprised,” Steckel said. “He's polished himself down to the point where he's geared for this, and he has his sights set on it.”

If the team is to make it back to the playoffs, it will need some help from more of its seniors.

Senior Ryan Dayton is a long hitter who is averaging about 39, and Conor Evans and Nathan Johnstonbaugh have done more than hold their own against some of the tougher teams in Class AAA.

“What we've run into this year is, we haven't put it together yet,” Steckel said. “Justin is the exception to that, but one kid will come in with a 37 and another comes in with a 42.”

Hampton suffered tough setbacks to section favorite Shady Side Academy, 198-190, and lost a heartbreaker to Mars by one stroke. The other two losses were nonsection matches to Pine-Richland and North Allegheny.

“We don't look at those as we look at (future matches) with Mars and Shady Side,” Steckel said. “We will be in the playoff hunt, but if we lose to them, we could be hurting.”

Two years ago, Hampton made its first appearance in a WPIAL golf final with the help of Marissa Balish, who plays at Ohio University. It could use a couple of more talented girls to help strengthen the program's long-term prospects.

Freshman Arianna Erka and sophomore Molly Molingowski might fill that need.

Both compete on the junior varsity squad, but Erka has been called up to varsity twice. Steckel plans to take her to the WPIAL Class AAA girls sectional tournament later this month.

Freshman Matthew Rozumberka has stepped in and performed admirably on varsity, averaging 39. Steckel said he thinks he could be the team's ace of the future.

“He showed up and kind of wowed everybody,” Steckel said. “I'm just getting to know him. He was living in England for a while and has that accent. He's going to be a nice golfer.”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

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