Golf: Allwein Captures District 3 Crown; Hughes, Brandt Earn Podium Finishes & Trips to States

Allwein Captures District 3 Crown; Hughes, Brandt Earn Podium Finishes & Trips to States

The District 3 Golf Championships brought together the region’s best golfers over three days at Honey Run Golf Club in York, and when the final putts dropped Saturday, the LebCoSports coverage area had plenty to celebrate.

The Class AAA golfers opened competition Thursday, while Class AA began Friday. Those who survived the opening-round cuts returned Saturday for the championship round, where they were greeted by tremendous fall conditions. Sunny skies prevailed throughout the day, with temperatures hovering around 70 degrees by midday.

At the center of the local success was Annville-Cleona sophomore Benjamin Allwein.

Coming off his Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship victory, Allwein carried that momentum directly into Districts. He fired a one-under-par 71 during Friday’s opening round, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole that helped him create separation from the rest of the Class AA field.

By the end of Friday, Allwein had built a five-stroke advantage and put himself firmly in control entering the final 18 holes.

On Saturday, Allwein made sure no one caught him.

The sophomore followed his opening 71 with a 73 to finish at even-par 144 over 36 holes, capturing the District 3 Class AA Boys Championship by six strokes. Newport’s Titan Wirth made a charge with a final-round 71 but finished second at 150. Pequea Valley’s Max Hershey and Fairfield’s Aden Frank tied for third at 153. 2026 PIAA District III Golf Cha…

It continued a remarkable postseason run for Allwein, who has followed Annville-Cleona’s Section 4 team championship by winning both the L-L League and District 3 individual championships.

The District title also earned Allwein his second consecutive trip to the PIAA State Championships. He qualified for States as a freshman last fall and now returns as the District 3 champion.

While Allwein controlled the Class AA championship, Palmyra sophomore Brady Hughes made one of Saturday’s biggest moves in the Class AAA field.

Hughes entered the championship round tied for seventh after opening with a 75. Under Saturday’s ideal conditions, he turned in an even-par 72, moving up five spots on the leaderboard to finish second overall.

His two-day total of 147 (+3) left him just three strokes behind District 3 champion Patrick Knaub of Dover, who posted matching rounds of 72 to finish at even-par 144. Hughes finished three strokes clear of the golfers tied for third. 2

The fantastic closing round also punched Hughes’ ticket to the PIAA State Championships, giving the Palmyra sophomore an opportunity to compete on the state’s biggest stage.

Cedar Crest sophomore Bryn Brandt entered Saturday with championship aspirations of her own.

The defending District 3 champion opened Thursday with a 75, putting herself one stroke off the lead entering the championship round.

On Saturday, Brandt carded a 76 to finish with a two-day total of 151 (+7), earning third place in the District 3 Class AAA Girls Championship. Dallastown’s Bryn Krosse won the title after following a first-round 74 with an impressive 70 Saturday for an even-par 144. Exeter’s Giulia Weisser finished second at 147 after rounds of 75 and 72. 1

Although she was unable to repeat as champion, Brandt added another District 3 podium finish to an already impressive sophomore season that included helping Cedar Crest win its third consecutive Section 1 championship.

The third-place finish also earned Brandt her second consecutive trip to States. Last fall, she followed her District 3 championship by finishing eighth in the PIAA Class AAA Girls Championship as a freshman.

Several other local golfers also earned the opportunity to play both rounds at Honey Run.

Cedar Crest senior Davin Kolter opened with a 75 Thursday, putting himself in a tie for seventh entering Saturday. He finished with an 88 in the championship round for a two-day total of 163 (+19). 2

Sophomore Rory Smyth also made the cut for the Falcons after an opening-round 80. Smyth followed with an 83 Saturday to join Kolter at 163 (+19). 2

Palmyra’s Alex Irwin opened with a 79 before shooting an 82 Saturday, giving him a two-day total of 161 (+17). 2

Cedar Crest sophomore Drew Gebhard was also part of the District field, shooting an 82 during Thursday’s opening round. His score fell outside the cut for Saturday’s championship round. 2

The local representation extended to the girls championship as well.

Palmyra’s Marissa Battistielli opened with an 86 Thursday to earn another round at Honey Run. She shot a 93 Saturday to finish at 179 (+35). 1

Cedar Crest’s Alex Jones finished her District appearance with a 91 in Thursday’s opening round. 1

When the three-day championship concluded, the LebCoSports coverage area had produced three District 3 podium finishes, and all three came from sophomores.

Allwein leaves Honey Run as the District 3 Class AA champion after an even-par 144. Hughes used an even-par final round to climb five spots and finish second in Class AAA, while Brandt finished third one year after winning the District 3 championship. 2026 PIAA District III Golf Cha… 2 1

Now, all three are headed to the PIAA State Championships.

For Allwein and Brandt, it will be a return trip after both qualified as freshmen. Hughes will join them this fall after his tremendous two-day performance at Honey Run.

Three sophomores. Three District 3 podium finishes. Three tickets to States.

For Allwein, the trip comes after a postseason run that has already produced L-L League and District 3 championships. For Brandt, it provides another opportunity on the state’s biggest stage after an eighth-place finish as a freshman. And for Hughes, a final-round 72 that moved him five spots up the District leaderboard has extended an outstanding sophomore season all the way to States.

The PIAA State Championships will take place at Penn State beginning Monday, October 19th.