CHERRY TWP — Four years ago, Moniteau High School formed a girls golf team.

It just wasn't sure where the golfers were going to come from.

“Our former superintendent, Sean Arney, thought it'd be a good idea to start the program,” Warriors coach Sue Scialabba said. “He knew (fellow teacher) Cindy Brown and I played golf, so he asked us to coach it.”

Scialabba and Brown are members of the Advanced Turf Solutions women's golf league at Hiland.

They found their golfers primarily from other activities and teams at the school. Many of Moniteau's golfers are also on the softball or track and field team. The volleyball team and the band have contributed to the golf roster as well.

“We're a small school and we're used to sharing athletes,” said Scialabba, who also coaches track and field. “I know most of these girls through other sports.

“Most of our golfers had never played golf before joining the team. Some didn't even know how to grip the club right. The softball players knew how to swing, of course, but a golf swing is totally different.”

“Yeah, you hold a bat differently,” senior Brynne Barger said. “It took me a little while to adjust to holding a golf club and getting the plane of the swing down. But it didn't take too long.”

Scialabba and Brown have done more than coach the Moniteau team.

They've coached it up.

In only its fourth year of existence, the Moniteau girls golf team was recently crowned District 9 champion. The Warriors edged Punxsutawney by a stroke, 314 to 315, to claim the title. The Chucks defeated Moniteau by 20 strokes in the district tourney last year.

“I felt good about our chances this year,” junior Autumn Stewart said. “I can't say I'm that surprised we won it.”

Stewart and her teammates had no idea the score was as close as it was. Everyone was on the course simultaneously, meaning no one was sure what the competition was doing.

“We had no idea,” junior Emma Covert admitted as to how the team scores were shaping up. “So we had to concentrate on every shot.”

Only four schools — Moniteau, Punxsutawney, Kane and Cranberry — fielded full teams at the district championships. Nearly 20 schools had golfers in the field, however.

The district tourney was held at Clarion Oaks. Last year's tourney was at the Punxsutawney Country Club.

“Punxsy had a big edge last year because we played on a course they knew very well,” Scialabba said. “I felt like we could compete better this year because we had another year's experience and our kids know the Clarion Oaks course.

“We were able to get them there for a practice round before the tournament and we played well. That gave our girls confidence.”

Covert placed third overall with a 96, earning a spot in Monday's PIAA Tournament as an individual.

Barger leads the Warriors with a 48.20 average for nine holes this season. Covert is at 50.67, Mariska Shunk 51.9, Stewart 52.0 and Kendall Sankey 52.7. Katie Fallen was also on the team that won the district title and fell two strokes shy of qualifying for states individually.

Fallen, a senior, has been on the team all four years.

“I have a good time golfing with my dad,” Fallen said. “When they announced there'd be a team here, I said to myself, 'I am not doing this.'

“My dad made me go for it and I'm so glad he did.”

Shunk, a sophomore, only started playing golf her freshman year. She is on the Warriors' softball, track and volleyball teams as well.

“My dad thought it'd be a good idea if I joined the team,” she said. “I do all those other sports, so I figured I'd give it a try.”

Sankey plays basketball and competes in track and field at Moniteau. She was attracted by the school starting a golf team.

“I had some friends who were gonna do it and they talked me into it,” the sophomore said. “I mean, it was a first-time-ever team at the school. I wanted to be a part of it.”

Now they're all a part of golf.

“We are creating lifetime golfers here and that's important,” Brown said. “These girls love the sport.”

Aubrey's Dubbs Dred has served as Moniteau's home course.

“They've been great to us, extremely cooperative and flexible in getting us on the course,” Scialabba said.

So what's next for this still-budding program?

“Do well at states and qualify more individuals for the state tournament,” Barger said.

“Just keep getting better,” Stewart said. “Now we've got a title to defend.”