Tyrone senior Cassidy Miksich bounced back from a tough opening round of the PIAA Girls AA Golf State Championships with a solid second day, finishing in 11th place overall at the State Tournament.

Miksich was one of 36 AA Girls to make it to the State Tournament at Penn State Blue and White Courses in State College on Monday, October 17th, and Tuesday, October 18th.

The weather was cold and blustery on both days, which definitely affected play.

On Monday, the wind was strong and with it nearing the winter season, the cold was a factor as well.

Miksich endured a few rough holes off the start. After the first 4 holes, she was 7 over and knew she would have to change her strategy to get back among the leaders. She went on to shoot a 46 (+10) on the front.

Going into the back nine, she focused on her drives and did better, with her only high score coming on a tough hole 14. Miksich finished the back with 41 (+5) for a total of 87 (+15) moving on to day two in 14th place overall.

“I was really upset with how I played the first day,” said Michsich, “It was my worst round all season and it mentally affected me. After my coaches told me I was only in 14th place, I was kind of relieved because I knew I was still close to placing.”

The good news for Miksich was that wind was not as strong as the first day, but it was definitely much colder.

Tyrone Head Coach Mike Funicelli was confident that Miksich would battle the cold and play much better on day two.

“I knew Cassidy was going to bounce back after a tough first day. She definitely wasn’t happy with how round one went and I could tell on day two that she was super focused and ready to tear up the Blue Course,” said Funicelli.

On day two Miksich started out only 2 over after 4 holes, and later on the front, she had a chance at eagle on a par 5. She blasted her drive straight down the fairway leading to a long shot for the green. Once again, Miksich blasted the ball to around 8 feet from the pin. From there, she put it close and finished the hole with a birdie.

She went on to finish the front 1 over (37).

The first 4 holes on the back went smoothly other than a brutal lip-out on hole 12, giving her a bogey.

She had another bogey on hole 14, a make-or-break par 3 for anyone in the tournament. The wind was in her favor after coming close to the hazard that was in front of the green. She went on to card 2 more pars until holes 17 and 18.

On hole 17, a par 3 into the wind, Miksich’s tee shot went a little to the right leaving her with a tough lie on the side of a short hill. She went on to bogey this hole after a very amazing putt from 10 feet out.

Miksich knew she was going to be close to reaching her goal of top 10 prior to teeing off on 18. After a slower group of golfers in front of her, the nerves were kicking in full effect. After learning she would need to take a drop, everyone’s heart dropped.

She finished the long par 5 with a double bogey, giving her a score of 41 (+5) on the back and a score of 78 (+6) for the final day.

Her total score from both days was 165 (+21). She was a close 4 strokes back from tying for 10th.

“The second day I went in with nothing to lose and played really well. I finished 11th overall and was only out of 10th by 5 shots, which I knew I could have made up on day one. I am overall happy with how I finished my high school career,” said Miksich.

Funicelli was also satisfied with the star senior’s second-day performance.

“She exceeded my expectations on day two, and if not for a couple tough holes on day one, she would have placed in the top 10 and medaled for the first time in Tyrone history. Cass has been a force on our team for four years and she will be sorely missed,” said Funicelli.