Clarion University’s 2004 Golf team is looking forward to the Spring season under fifth year head coach Al Lefevre. The Golden Eagles were the 2003 PSAC runners-up and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament for the second year. Matt Guyton, 2003 Division II All-American leads a group of experienced veterans and quality first year players who plan to continue their success in 2004. The Eagles open 2004 at the Treasure Coast Classic March 11-12 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

LEFEVRE BEGINS FIFTH SEASON

Lefevre, who begins his fifth season directing the golf team, has led the Eagles to two consecutive NCAA East Regional appearances and a lot more.

Lefevre was named PSAC "Coach of the Year" in 2002 while leading the Golden Eagles to the PSAC team title and a berth in the NCAA Regional Tournament. In his four seasons the Golden Eagles have continued to improve each season. The Eagles were PSAC runners-up in 2001 and 2003.

Coach Lefevre has extensive coaching experience and it has all been successful. The head or assistant golf coach at nearby Brookville High School from 1965-99, Al led the team to Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference titles in 1986, 87 and 97. Also Brookville’s football coach from 1968-82, Al was named "Little 10" "Coach of the Year" in 1969 and 1970 and led his teams to conference titles in 1970 and 71.

The Golden Eagles have had tremendous success in the last three years. A PSAC title in 2002, two runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2001, and two trips to the NCAA Regionals in 2003 and 2002. Last year the Eagles placed 8^th at the Regionals with a team score of 922, while the 2002 squad shot a 924 at Regionals and also finished 8^th. The Eagles are looking to get to the Regionals again in 2004, plus would like to gethot at the right time and jump up in the Regional battle.

Nothing showed Clarion’s scoring power more than its first place finish at the WVIAC Regionals in the Fall of 2002 at Canaan Valley C.C where the Golden Eagles likely posted a school record four under par two day total of 286. Harnessing that scoring power consistently will be the Clarion call for 2004.

"We’re really looking forward to the Spring season," said Lefevre. We’re looking to get an early start in Florida and build some momentum quickly. We need to play strong in the Spring tournaments, while our goal is to try and recapture the PSAC title and qualify again for the NCAA Regional Tournament," stated Lefevre. "We return some quality players that are tournament tested, plus have added some strong newcomers that could help put us over the top. We have excellent team leadership and chemistry and I am hopeful that we can accomplish our goals this season."

Junior Matt Guyton (DuBois) has already put together a storied career at Clarion and he’s just a junior. Guyton was a voted a third team All-American last year by the national golf coaches, while placing tied for 7^th at the NCAA Division II Nationals. He shot an amazing even par 72, 73, 71, 72 - 288 at the D-II’s in Sunriver, Oregon. He also was medalist at the PSAC’s, and then went on to win the NCAA East Regional shooting a 72, 69, 73 - 214, and winning a playoff to qualify for the D-II Nationals. He also qualified for and competed in the U. S. Amateur hosted at Oakmont Country Club in August of 2003. In his career Guyton also was 5^th at the NCAA East Regionals in 2002, named the PSAC "Player of the Year in 2003 and 2002 and the "Rookie of the Year" in 2002. His top round was an amazing 10-under par (67-67) in the Fall of 2003 at Canaan Valley C.C., which is believed to be a Clarion record. "Matt is an outstanding golfer who is always pressing to play better," said Lefevre. "We just enjoy watching him go out each day and attack each course."

Junior Lou Jesiolkiewic (Pgh - Chartiers Valley) and senior Paul Garris (Richmond, Texas - Columbia) return to provide veteran leadership in the Spring 2004 season.

Jesiolkiewic, a talented junior, will play #2 behind Guyton. An excellent putter, Lou was 40^th at the NCAA Regionals last year with a 240 total, and 12^th at PSAC’s (161). In 2002 as a freshman he was 10^th at the PSAC’s (154) and 33^rd at the NCAA Regionals (237). He has a low round of 72 in the Fall of 2001 and in the Fall of 2002 shot a 73, 73 -146 at the WVIAC. Lou has an 80.7 average last Fall, but is looking to play strong in the Spring.

Garris will start the year as Clarion’s #3 man. In the Fall he posted an 80.6 average with a low round of 72 coming at Robert Morris. Last Spring at PSAC’s he earned All-PSAC honors placing 4^th with an 81-75 - 156.

In the fall of 2002 he also shot a 72 at the WVIAC.

One additional veteran hoping to see some time in the lineup will be junior Ryan Butler (Boardman, Ohio - Canfield). Butler played in one event in the Fall, shot an 84, 85 - 169 at the Hal Hansen Tournament. Last year he played in four rounds in the fall (2002) and posted an 84.2 average. He had a low round of 81 at the Hal Hansen tournament.

The Eagles have some talented newcomers in Mike Bancroft (Fr. Warren), Justin Scott (Fr. Monroeville - Gateway), Zach Szwast (Fr. Johnstown - Conemaugh Valley), Tom Will (Fr. Erie - McDowell), David Malone (Fr. Conshohocken - Plymouth Whitemarsh), Eric Kalbfleisch (Fr. Erie - Cathedral Prep) and Mark Pisarcik (Fr. Brockway - DuBois C.C.).

Bancroft, a freshman, played in 5 events in the Fall and had an 80.4 average with a low round of 74 at the Hal Hansen Tournament. His low round in high school at Warren was a 1-under 70 and was a PIAA State Qualifier.

Scott, a freshman, averaged 81.3 in 6 events and had a low round of 76. He earned four golf letters at Gateway High and held a 37 scoring average.

Szwast, a freshman, had an 81.2 average in the Fall and a low round of 79 at the Hal Hansen. From Conemaugh Valley, he qualified for PIAA’s three years.

Will, also a freshman, played in three events last fall and averaged 79.4. He had a low round of 76 at the Hal Hansen Invitational where his 36-hole total of 155 (79-76) was his 36-hole total. An All-Metro player at McDowell High and a PIAA Qualifier.

Malone, a freshman, played in the Hal Hansen and shot an 81, 82 - 163. He posted a 38 average at Plymouth Whitemarsh High.

Kalbfleisch, also a freshman, shot an 80, 85 - 165 at the Hal Hansen. Eric was a two-time All-Metro selection, captain his senior year at Cathedral Prep and a PIAA Qualifier.

Pisarcik, another freshman, averaged 84.5 while playing three Fall events. Mark was a PIAA Qualifier at DuBois C.C., was team captain and the #1 player. He had a low high school round of 70.

"We believe we have a very solid golf team with plenty of quality depth," stated Lefevre. "The competition up and down the lineup should bring the best out of everyone and that will only increase our chances of having an excellent Spring. We are dedicated toward fielding a championship caliber team and will be working hard toward that goal."

CLARION NOTES: The 2004 PSAC Championship will return to Hawk Valley C.C. and is scheduled to be played April 17-18... Regionals are in Harrisburg at Blue Ridge C.C.