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Shane Angle had the type of golf season every golfer wants.

He won gold medals, took home multiple other medals, made history, and was part of a special team.

In a season of firsts, this was the year the Crestwood senior was waiting for since he joined the school’s junior high team.

“It meant a lot to me especially being a senior and going into senior year,” he said. “I knew I had it in me since sophomore year. It was nice to do it. I took advantage of all the opportunities I was given.”

What he did was certainly special.

He became the first Crestwood golfer to qualify for the PIAA Championships in 27 years. He was also part of the Comets history-making team that became the first golf team in school history to get to the state tournament after winning the District 2 Class 3A team title for the first time in Crestwood history. Not only that, but Angle never even reached the East Regional Tournament prior to this season.

“I couldn’t ask for much more from where I started my freshman year,” said Angle, the son of Laura and Bucky of Mountain Top. “I’m grateful and appreciate my coaches and especially my parents. I don’t think there was one match where at least one of them wasn’t there. They’ll do anything to help me play. I think it makes it 20 times better. I love having them there and just knowing that they care so much about it it makes me feel that much better.”

At the state tournament, Angle experienced quite a tournament. He finished Day 1 of the event in fourth place just two strokes off the lead with the state championship within his grasp. An unfortunate turn of events on the second day saw him fall in the standings and he ended just one shot short of claiming a medal. All this at a pressure-packed event where he was participating for the first time.

“I went into the first round of states of just being stoked to be there,” he said. “And then to go out on the first day and be tied for fourth, and be in the final pairing on the final day was a great way to end a career.”

He even had the support of his teammates at states with the whole roster joining him as a team qualifier. The Comets swept the team awards in the Wyoming Valley Conference this season, from claiming the Tryba Tournament team trophy to sharing the WVC Division 2 title to winning districts for the first time.

Heck, the team was so successful that even when Angle didn’t win, one of his teammates did. That’s when Michael Golden claimed the victory at the Tryba and Jeremy Harper was second; Angle took fifth at that event.

“The start off was great not only for us but for (coach) Mr. (Mark) Jarolen,” Angle said. “He coached 30 years and finally won districts and to take him to states finally, it made me feel good. We all tried our hardest all year and to see that pay off was great.”

Angle ended his career as a four-time district qualifier, a two-time pre-district champion, and four top-5 finishes at the Tryba, including a pair of second-place finishes.

Angle ended his career as a four-time district qualifier and a two-time pre-district champion — and led Crestwood to the District 2 Class 3A team title for the first time in school history
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_TTL082217TrybaTournament_2.jpg.optimal.jpgAngle ended his career as a four-time district qualifier and a two-time pre-district champion — and led Crestwood to the District 2 Class 3A team title for the first time in school history Bill Tarutis | Times Leader file photo

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web1_BOYS-GOLF-MVP-Art-COVER.jpg.optimal.jpgBill Tarutis | Times Leader file photo
Angle led to Crestwood to historic season

By Dave Rosengrant

For Times Leader