It was a remarkable year for the East Juniata golf team. And the accolades just keep on coming.
Jeremy Pannebaker was named the 2012 Tri-Valley League Most Valuable Player to go along with three other teammates who were first-team selections.
East Juniata coach Mike Zendt was named co-coach of the year with Newport's Rich Keller.
Pannebaker, East Juniata's No. 1 in 2012, fired an average of 81.25 and led the Tigers to a 19-1 record in the regular season and a berth in district play.
Zendt had the same thing to say about each of his all-star selections. He summed it up in one word: consistent.
And the most consistent player, Pannebaker, was awarded for his play on the course this season.
"There was a lot of consistency from Jeremy," Zendt said. "He puts the work in over the summer and that really helped him."
Pannebaker played in the Harrisburg NCPGA over the summer and it paid off, Zendt said.
"He was cool on the course," Zendt said. "He keeps the ball in the fairway and hits a lot of greens."
Along with Pannebaker's MVP nod, Dillon Leonard, Colton Fogelman and Grant Leonard were first-team selections.
"They made it easy for me this year," Zendt said. "I wrote out the same lineup pretty much every match. I had four seniors (Dillon Leonard, Fogelman, Colin Breeding, Derek Leister) who were solid all year. It was a fun year."
Fogelman, who was right behind Pannebaker for most of the year, was also very consistent. The senior started the season at Zendt's No. 1, until Pannebaker took over.
"You could pretty much count on a score in the low 80s," Zendt said. "It's nice to have that in the top of the lineup."
Fogelman and Pannebaker each shot an 83 at the district championships.
Dillon Leonard was a four-year performer for Zendt and East Juniata. A senior, the Tigers could always count on him delivering a respectable score. After working on his swing midway through last season, things began to click for him this year.
"This year it clicked for him as well has it has," Zendt said. "He was hitting it real well and was able to get up and down better. That all comes with maturity and he showed that his year."
For Grant Leonard, there is a lot of golf left. Only a sophomore, he produced a fine performance for the Tigers. And with a little age and maturity, East Juniata looks primed for two more years of solid golf.
"I think he's going to get better with age and maturity," Zendt said. "There was a few times he got upset on the course. He'll get over that and be able to put those bad holes behind him."
At the District 4 Championships at Williamsport Country Club, East Juniata finished with a 349, 20 strokes behind champion Shikellamy. Unfortunately for the Tigers, District 4 only advances on team.
Pannebaker and Fogelman each shot an 83, two strokes behind the cut. Grant Leonard and Dillon Leonard shot 93 and 95, respectively.
East Juniata will lose four seniors at the end of this season. And Zendt was very pleased with how the season turned out. However, he was disappointed the Tigers didn't get anyone out of districts.
