STATE COLLEGE – On Sunday morning, Palmerton’s Tyler Hager, Connor Reinhard and Nate Steinmetz all teed it up on the Blue Course at Penn State University.

The Blue Bomber golfers were hoping to get a better feel of the par-72 course prior to the start of the two-day Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 2A Individual Championships.

Palmerton golf coach Alex Knoll said it was a great way for the trio of upperclassmen to spend some time together in preparation for the final scholastic event of their storybook varsity careers.

“Three days here with all three of them together – it’s something special,” Knoll said. “They got to play a practice round - just the three of them - Sunday morning, and they really worked hard to get to know the golf course.

“It’s just great for them to be here together to celebrate a great career and all of their families - all kind of cheering everyone on.”

Monday morning, the heavily-decorated Bomber trio tried to build on that practice round.

Playing the opening 18 holes in temperatures in the low 50s on the rugged Blue Course, Steinmetz and Hager tied for 24th place on the leaderboard with seven-over-par scores of 79. Reinhard tied for 54th place with a 12-over-par score of 84.

All three golfers are back on the course today for the final 18 holes of their scholastic careers.

“Nate (Steinmetz) played a phenomenal round,” said Knoll. “He probably played the best round of his life in a big-time tournament. So, we’re really, really happy with how he played.

“Tyler and Connor definitely could have had better results, but they tried. And tomorrow’s really going to be a different day.”

Knoll said today’s weather will be a test for the entire field of golfers, but feels that the Bombers could benefit from the less-than-ideal forecast.

“The temperature is going to be in the lows 40s,” Knoll said about today’s conditions. “It’s supposed to be a windy day as well. So we are probably talking about playing in wind chills that will make it feel like its in the 30s.

“Tuesday is going to be a drastically different day, and I know we have some of the toughest kids around in Tyler, Connor and Nate. So, I feel it’s going to be to our advantage with how hard the course is going to play.”

While none of the Bombers are in position to medal after the opening round, Knoll knows things can turn around quickly - and even if they don’t, he’s overjoyed about what this group has accomplished during their career.

“They’re going to go at it Tuesday and give it their best, and enjoy the experience,” Knoll said. “Playing in the State Championships ... you couldn’t ask for a better way to put a cap on their amazing four-year careers.”

2A BOYS … District 11 champion Evan Eichenlaub of Moravian Academy is tied for sixth place after shooting an even-par round of 72.

2A GIRLS … District 11 champ Mara Dubacher of Moravian Academy is tied for 23rd. Dubacher shot a 19-over-par 91 on the opening day.

3A BOYS … District 11 champion Matthew Vital of Liberty is in fourth place after firing a one-under-par 71.

3A GIRLS … District 11 champ Camryn Hoff of Nazareth is in 26th place after posting a 14-over-par 86.