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Benjamin Allwein
Winning a championship is difficult enough. Winning 3 individual titles in a matter of weeks is the kind of accomplishment that can define a season.
For Annville-Cleona sophomore Benjamin Allwein, that is exactly how his fall has unfolded, as the Dutchmen golfer has collected Lancaster-Lebanon League, District 3, and Lebanon County championships while establishing himself as one of the area’s top young golfers.
The impressive run began at the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championships at Four Seasons Golf Club, where Allwein overcame wet and challenging conditions to shoot a 1-under-par 71. His round earned him the overall boys championship by 3 strokes, a significant improvement from his 5th-place finish as a freshman last fall.
The victory also gave Annville-Cleona its 2nd consecutive individual league champion, following Logan Francis, who won the title last year before continuing his golf career at the Naval Academy. Allwein’s performance earned him LebCo Athlete of the Week honors.
As impressive as that accomplishment was, Ben was far from finished.
A week later, Allwein arrived at Honey Run Golf Club for the District 3 Class AA Championships with a little unfinished business. As a freshman, he had come painfully close to winning the District title before losing in a playoff. This time, he was determined to finish on top.
Allwein opened with a 1-under-par 71, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole, to build a 5-stroke advantage heading into the final round. He followed with a 73 on Saturday, finishing at even-par 144 over 36 holes to claim the District 3 championship by 6 strokes.
The victory secured his second consecutive trip to the PIAA State Championships and fulfilled one of the major goals he had set entering the season.
“It has been a great season. I was happy to win Leagues and Districts this year,” Allwein said.
The championship run continued at the Lebanon County Golf Championships, held at Fairview Golf Course. Allwein fired a 67 to capture individual medalist honors, edging Cedar Crest’s Bryn Brandt by a single stroke.
This time, however, the team result was every bit as exciting as the individual competition.
Allwein’s younger brother, freshman Jefferson Allwein, contributed a 75, while senior Aidan Lezon added an 81. Their combined score of 223 gave Annville-Cleona the county team championship by just 1 stroke over Cedar Crest, which finished at 224 behind strong rounds from Brandt, Rory Smyth, and Drew Gebhard.
The county victory added another championship to a season in which the Dutchmen had already captured the L-L Section 4 title. For Allwein, the individual success has gone hand in hand with helping his teammates improve.
Golf is his primary sport, and he tries to encourage the other Dutchmen to practice, enjoy themselves, and continue developing their games for the future.
Even with three individual championships to his name this fall, Allwein recognizes that success in golf doesn’t mean the work is finished.
“Golf is hard,” Allwein said. “Even when you win something, there is still something to improve or work on.”
That approach helps explain why he spends so much time developing his game. When he is not in school, Allwein can usually be found at the golf course or working on a simulator. Asked what he does when he is not training, the sophomore jokingly pointed to eating and sleeping, although his schedule suggests golf occupies much of the time in between.
Allwein credits several people for helping him reach this point, including swing coach Rob Rowe, Annville-Cleona coaches Todd Evans and his father, Steve Allwein, and the Lebanon Country Club for hosting the Dutchmen. He is also grateful for the friends, family members, and teachers who support him both on and off the course.
Athletics have long been part of the Allwein family, with both of his parents having competed in sports. Allwein has carried on that tradition, competing in several sports at Annville-Cleona.
Although golf is his primary focus, Allwein also participates in basketball, swimming, and Track & Field. Last spring, he demonstrated his athletic versatility by competing in the jumps for Annville-Cleona, including a 7th-place finish in the Triple Jump at the District 3 Class AA Championships.
Looking further ahead, Allwein hopes to continue his golf career at the Division I level. His dedication to improving his game and his ability to perform under championship pressure have already helped him build an impressive résumé with more than 2 years of high school remaining.
For now, however, another major opportunity awaits.
Allwein will return to the PIAA State Golf Championships at Penn State beginning October 19th, this time arriving as the District 3 Class AA champion. After coming up short of the District title as a freshman, he has already shown how much can change in a year.
And despite everything he has accomplished, the sophomore’s motivation remains straightforward. Asked what he enjoys most about participating in sports, Allwein pointed to the element that has driven him through a remarkable championship run.
“I love the competition,” he said.
With League, District, and County championships already secured, Ben now has an opportunity to add another accomplishment to a season that has been nothing short of outstanding.
Congratulations to Benjamin on earning LebCo Athlete of the Week honors, and best of luck as he represents Annville-Cleona and Lebanon County at the PIAA State Championships.
Photos provided by Annville-Cleona Golf
LebCo Female Athlete of the Week: Shea Mover
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