Logan Wagner went from frustration to elation in a span of three days.
    A rising junior at Solanco High School, Wagner earned a spot in the world's most prestigious junior golf event a day after a disappointing showing in another tournament.
    Wagner will playing in the 73rd U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina July 19-24.
    Nearly 4,000 players from around the world annually vie for a place in the championship with 264 comprising the starting field.
    "It's going to be special," Wagner said. "I'm really excited."
    The U.S. Junior Amateur begins with two days of stroke play to whittle the field down to 64 players for a match play bracket.
    "I'm really proud and I want to take full advantage of the opportunity," Wagner said. "The goal is to play well and get a spot in match play and see how far I can go."
    The accomplishment capped off an eventful few days. 
    On Monday, June 28, Wagner began play in the Pennsylvania Boys Championship, an event he had circled on his calendar.
    Wagner played well on the first day at Hershey Country Club, carding a two-over 73 to put himself in good position. On Tuesday, Wagner started solidly before breaking his driver, a TaylorMade SIM, on the fourth hole. He retrieved his backup driver from the car but had not used that club in a year and struggled with the change in the middle of a competition. Wagner posted two birdies over the final four holes but the damage was done. 
    "Logan was about as unhappy as I've ever seen him on the car ride home from Hershey," his father, Steve, said. "He's pretty even keeled, but this one really stung."
    The following morning, Wagner headed to Doylestown Country Club to play in a U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier. He was able to get a few practice swings with the backup driver and shot a one-over par 73. Three players who are major college commits shot even par including the PIAA champion. The top four scores advanced.
    Wagner had an early tee time and had to sit and wait while the rest of the field finished. One golfer shot a 73 to force a playoff for the final qualifying spot. Wagner parred the first playoff hole (No. 10) to earn the final berth.
    "So many people reached out to me and sent messages," said Wagner. "It's touching to see all the support from people. It's incredible to see that and it puts a smile on my face."
    Wagner plans to play in three tournaments before heading to North Carolina. "I want to stay in that competitive phase," he said. Wagner will be using a temporary SIM 2 head on his driver thanks to Tom Mattaini of Pull The Pin in Lancaster.
    It has been an exciting time foe the local golf community. Solanco High grad Connor Sheehan qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship, which will be played at Oakmont Country Club in Verona, Pa. August 9-15.
    "I am so happy for Connor," Wagner said. "I play with him any chance I get and he helps me a lot. It's an awesome thing for our small town.

    Solanco sophomore golfer Logan Wagner possesses the ambition to chase lofty goals and the maturity to realize achieving those objectives is possible only through hard work.
    "I try to do something with golf every day," said Wagner, who first began dabbling in the sport when he was three and started playing tournaments six years later. "I practice or play just to keep the golf mindset in my body."
    He is a member of three clubs – Tanglewood, Meadia Heights, and Bent Creek. He takes weekly lessons from Rob Rowe, Bent Creek's Director of Instruction.
    "Logan is definitely a hard worker and has committed himself  to getting better," said Rowe. "I love his work ethic and what he put into his game and what he puts into his health. He's doing all the right things."

    Gabi Dolan, whose play in goal was one of the driving forces behind the best season in Solanco girls soccer history, will further her education and soccer career at Hood College.
    Hood College is an NCAA Division III school located in Frederick, Md., about two hours away from Quarryville.
    "I like the location of it," Dolan said. "It was far enough away from home that it was a cool place with independence. But also, close enough that my parents could come to my games and I could go home whenever I want to."

    Alana Yoder was hoping the track season would serve as a bookend to her stellar career.
    Even without a final track campaign, Yoder assembled one of the best resumes in Solanco sports history.
    This spring was shaping up to provide an exclamation point.

    Jen McDowell always envisioned herself serving the Southern End community.    She did not initially expect it would come in a coaching capacity.
    "When I was in high school I never imagined I'd ever be a coach," said McDowell, a 1992 Solanco grad.
    She was wrong.
    Following a long career which included a stint as an assistant and head coaching positions with the Mules' junior high track and cross country teams, McDowell has earned the opportunity to take over Solanco's varsity track and field program.

    Although she just started competing in the sport two years ago, Solanco High School freshman Katie Urbine is expected to make an immediate impact on the Mules' track and field squad this spring.

    Solanco's Dominic Flatt and Nick Yannutz qualified for the PIAA wrestling tournament.
    Flatt placed second and Yannutz finished fourth at the Class 3A District 3/Southcentral regional wrestling tournament at Spring Grove.

    The Solanco girls basketball team got good looks at the basket down the stretch of its first round district playoff game.
    The Mules did not like what they saw.
    Solanco scored one point in the final 3 minutes, 50 seconds as host Berks Catholic finished the game with a 12-1 run to rally for a 51-44 triumph Tuesday night, February 18.