High school golf matches pressed on during the 2023 season. Each week, Trinity's Rian Yarnell vied for a spot in the Shamrock starting rotation. The opportunity never developed.
The determination grew. The frustration mounted. But Yarnell never folded.
And after an offseason of unrelenting practice and the want to will the Shamrocks to victory, Yarnell's chance has come as a senior. He'll join four of his Trinity teammates Wednesday at Dauphin Highlands Golf Course in the 2024 Mid-Penn championships. Yarnell has reached his goal, but the job is far from finished.
"I worked pretty much all the time," Yarnell said. "And now, senior year, I'm playing on the golf team and playing in Mid-Penns on Wednesday." Yarnell was a newcomer to the Shamrock roster last fall.
He spent his first two high school years on the football sidelines before a shoulder injury shelved his gridiron career. Yarnell dabbled with golf since a young age but didn't get hooked until his junior season. He stoked a fire once the scores fell short of cracking the starting lineup.
"It was just every day, going to the range," Yarnell said. "Every day just built up consistency. That brought me to where I am now.
" "Now" is on the doorstep of the conference tournament, but Yarnell's road to the postseason traversed peaks and valleys. He entered the Shamrocks' Capital Division season opener as the squad's No. 1.
He carded an 83 in his debut match at Sunset Golf Course Aug. 12, helping steer the 'Rocks to a 6-0 sweep an.