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Young Falcons Shine in Season-Opening Victory
The 2026 Lancaster-Lebanon League golf season officially teed off Monday afternoon, and Cedar Crest wasted little time making an early statement.
Playing at Sunset Golf Club in Elizabethtown, the Falcons posted a team score of 304 to capture the opening L-L League Section 1 match of the season, edging rival Manheim Township by three strokes. The Blue Streaks finished at 307, while Hempfield was third with a 329. Ephrata (344), Penn Manor (347), and Elizabethtown (366) rounded out the six-team field.
The victory was an important early one for a Cedar Crest team entering a new chapter following the graduation of Dylan Ramsey and Carson DiBiaso, two key pieces of last year’s lineup. But if Monday was any indication, the Falcons have a young group ready to pick up where last year’s team left off.
Sophomore Bryn Brandt led the way with a one-over-par 71 to earn medalist honors, finishing three shots ahead of Manheim Township’s Joe Bilson, who carded a 74.
Brandt entered her sophomore season after bursting onto the high school golf scene a year ago. She was the District 3 Champion during her freshman campaign before eventually finishing eighth at the PIAA Class AAA Girls Golf Championship.
She wasn’t the only member of Cedar Crest’s sophomore class near the top of Monday’s leaderboard.
Rory Smyth turned in a 76 to finish third overall, while Drew Gebhard shot a 77 to finish tied for fourth. Like Brandt, both qualified for Districts last season as freshmen and opened their sophomore campaigns by picking up where they left off.
The Falcons also received an immediate contribution from a new face. Junior Luke Usinger, a transfer from Kentucky, shot an 80 and tied for 10th overall. His round proved particularly important as Cedar Crest’s fourth counting score, joining Brandt, Smyth, and Gebhard to produce the Falcons’ winning total of 304.
“I am really proud of how our team played today,” Cedar Crest head coach Drew Gates said. “We set the tone that we are contender in the section again and look forward to putting up another strong effort at our home Fairview on Thursday.”
Manheim Township made sure there was little room for error. Behind Bilson’s 74, Charlie Sheehan and Ian Huber each shot 77, while Jack Irons added a 79. Those four scores combined for the Blue Streaks’ 307, leaving just three strokes between the two rivals.
Cedar Crest’s depth extended beyond its four counting scores. Senior Davin Kolter carded an 83 to tie for 14th, while senior Jackson Seidel finished one stroke behind with an 84, tying for 17th.
The golfers also had to contend with challenging August conditions throughout the afternoon. Following Sunday’s rain, Monday brought hot and humid weather, with temperatures pushing 90 degrees as the players made their way around Sunset Golf Club under the full sun.
For Cedar Crest, it added up to an encouraging first look at a lineup that may be young in some of its most prominent spots, but certainly isn’t inexperienced.
Three sophomores who reached the postseason as freshmen accounted for the Falcons’ three lowest rounds Monday. A newcomer supplied the crucial fourth score. And together, they delivered a three-stroke victory over their rival to begin the Section 1 schedule.
One match into 2026, the Falcons have already provided some evidence to support Gates’ message.
Cedar Crest intends to be a contender again.
The Falcons will get their next opportunity Thursday when they host the second Section 1 match of the season at Fairview Golf Course.
Team Results
- Cedar Crest — 304
- Manheim Township — 307
- Hempfield — 329
- Ephrata — 344
- Penn Manor — 347
- Elizabethtown — 366
Cedar Crest Results
Bryn Brandt (So.) — 71 (+1), 1st
Rory Smyth (So.) — 76 (+6), 3rd
Drew Gebhard (So.) — 77 (+7), T-4th
Luke Usinger (Jr.) — 80 (+10), T-10th
Davin Kolter (Sr.) — 83 (+13), T-14th
Jackson Seidel (Sr.) — 84 (+14), T-17th
Top 10 Leaderboard
1. Bryn Brandt, Cedar Crest — 71 (+1)
2. Joe Bilson, Manheim Township — 74 (+4)
3. Rory Smyth, Cedar Crest — 76 (+6)
T-4. Drew Gebhard, Cedar Crest — 77 (+7)
T-4. Makenna Heckman, Ephrata — 77 (+7)
T-4. Charlie Sheehan, Manheim Township — 77 (+7)
T-4. Ian Huber, Manheim Township — 77 (+7)
8. Landon Chandler, Hempfield — 78 (+8)
9. Jack Irons, Manheim Township — 79 (+9)
T-10. Luke Usinger, Cedar Crest — 80 (+10)
T-10. Clay Bearden, Penn Manor — 80 (+10)
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