Downingtown West’s Nick Gross captures PIAA 3A state golf title

Downingtown West High School sophomore Nick Gross captured the PIAA Class 3A state golf title Tuesday at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York. Gross shot a 2-under par 69, which tied him with Billy Pabst of North Pocono for first place. In the subsequent playoff for the title, Gross won the second playoff hole to capture the title.
“Nick seems to be clutch when he needs to be,” said Downingtown West boys golf coach Rob Coyne. “He’s got a phenomenal future ahead of him. He’s the first Downingtown West golfer to win the state title.”
Gross, who finished third in the PIAA 3A state golf tournament last year, was one over par on the front nine Tuesday and stood four strokes behind Pabst, a Penn State commit, after nine holes.
On the 10th hole, Gross sank a 25-foot birdie putt from off the green, and by the 14th hole had cut Pabst’s lead to two strokes. On the 15th hole, a 201-yard par 3, Gross hit his tee shot to within 12 feet of the pin, and nailed the 12-foot birdie putt to cut Pabst’s lead to one.
On the 17th hole, Gross made a 4-foot birdie putt to tie Pabst. After both players made par on the 18th hole, they returned to the 18th hole for the playoff. Both players made par, this time Gross sinking an 8-foot putt to salvage a tie.
On the second playoff hole, No. 10, Pabst hit his tee shot into the tall fescue, and bogied. Gross made a par for the victory.
West Chester Rustin’s Sam Feeney tied for fourth place with a 1-over par 72, one stroke behind third-place finisher Calen Sanderson of Holy Ghost Prep.
Another Golden Knight golfer, Ryan D’Ariano, tied for eighth place with a 2-over par 73.
West Chester Henderson’s Dylan Kochis tied for 12th place with a 3-over par 74.
Bishop Shanahan’s Ben Saggers tied for 39th place (80), and West Chester Rustin’s Eric Miller tied for 52nd (82).
In the PIAA 3A girls state tournament at Heritage Hills Tuesday, West Chester East’s Victoria Kim placed third with a 3-over par 75, behind first-place finisher Sydney Yermish of Lower Merion (68) and Evelyn Wong of Emmaus (71).
Downingtown East’s Ava O’Sullivan finished tied for fourth place with a 76, and D-East teammate Mia Pace tied for sixth place with a 77. Unionville’s Mary Grace Dunigan tied for 14th with an 80.