STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The Penn State Altoona men's golf team resumed its 2023-24 schedule on Friday, when the Lions hosted day one of the Pennsylvania Classic at the Penn State White Course.

Playing in its first round since October 24, the Lions shot 312 as a team on the par 71 course to finish the day in fifth place out of 18 teams on the leaderboard. Allegheny College held down the top spot with 289, Franklin & Marshall College was in second with 291, and Swarthmore College rounded out the top three with 293.

Day one of the Classic also was the one-round "event within an event" as the fourth annual Penn State Division III Challenge was contested among the five Penn State Division III programs. Penn State Altoona defended its Penn State Division III Challenge title, edging Penn College 312-315. Penn State Altoona 'B' (322) took third, followed by Penn State Harrisburg (323), Penn State Berks (334), and Penn State Abington (335).

On the individual side of the Penn State Division III Challenge, two Penn State Altoona players had to go into a playoff to determine medalist honors. Andrew Bruce (Moon Township, PA/Moon) and Jack DiTrani (Hinsdale, IL/Benet Academy) each fired 76. Following matching pars on the par five, third hole, DiTrani got up and down from the greenside bunker for birdie on the par five, 18th. This marks the third time in four events that a Penn State Altoona player has medaled at the Division III Challenge, as DiTrani joins Andrew Ferguson and Trey Heffelfinger as champions.

Bruce and DiTrani led the way for the Lions' starting five, as each player's 76 in the round tied him for 18th place out of 102 individuals on the overall Classic leaderboard.

Jack Ankeny (Davidsville, PA/Conemaugh Township) carded a 79 to tie for 34th place, Peter Nusbaum (Pittsboro, NC/Thales Academy) scored an 81 to tie for 48th, and Trey Heffelfinger (Mount Union, PA/Mount Union) finished with 84 to round out the Lions 'A' team.

Penn State Altoona also sponsored a 'B' squad, which shot 322 as a team to finish the day in 11th place overall.

Michael Gloth (Glenwood, MD/Glenelg) had the low score for the 'B' team, firing a 78 to tie for 29th place on the player leaderboard. Stephen Phillips (Gambrills, MD/DeMatha Catholic) followed close behind, shooting 79 to tie for 34th individually, and Daniel Batrus (Altoona, PA/Altoona) carded an 81 to tie for 48th place.

The Penn State Altoona 'B' squad was rounded out by Sean McCullough (Kittanning, PA/West Shamokin), who shot 84, and Maxwell Samangy (Crafton, PA/Carlynton), who scored an 86.

Additionally, the Lions had two other players compete as individuals. Anthony Carson (Broomall, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) shot 78 to tie for 29th place individually, and Trent Querry (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle) scored an 80 to tie for 41st.

Penn State Altoona men's golf continues hosting duties in the Pennsylvania Classic tomorrow, Saturday, March 30, when play will shift to the Penn State Blue Course. The round's shotgun start is scheduled for 11 a.m.