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Newton Falls golfer headed to YSU
Tigers’ standout is also valedictorian
By Greg Gulas
NEWTON FALLS
When you’re ranked No. 1 in your class, will serve as one of four valedictorians on graduation day and score a 31 on your ACT, academics remain a top priority when choosing a college to attend.
The fact you’re a pretty good golfer and your hometown university has an excellent links team is just icing on the cake.
On Wednesday in the Newton Falls High School board room, Tigers golfer Jake Harrah made it official by signing a national letter-of-intent to attend YSU this fall, looking to study actuarial mathematics and play for head coach Tony Joy’s golf squad.
It was an easy decision to make, according to Harrah.
“I really had no interest in going away to school. My father earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from YSU and my brother-in-law, Eddie Morales, his Ph.D in physical therapy,” he said. “YSU has a great STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] College and they were always on my list, even before I thought about golf.”
A four-year letterwinner for the Tigers, Harrah averaged 1 over par during both his junior and senior campaigns to lead the Tigers. As a freshman and sophomore, he placed second in average to Logan Beachy.
A four-year All-American Conference selection, he was a key component of Tiger teams that qualified for district play the last three seasons.
Individually, he qualified for the Division III state tournament last fall, placing seventh en route to second team all-Ohio laurels.
Harrah appreciated Joy’s team approach, but more so his academic mindset.
“During the recruitment process, Coach Joy always stressed that school came first and I appreciated that,” he said. “The plan right now is to redshirt that first year, but I’d like to crack the top six as a freshman.
“The goal is to be as good as I can at golf and where that takes me, it takes me. I haven’t played outside Ohio very often and YSU’s schedule is quite appealing with matches in North Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin and Kentucky. It’s a chance to travel and also play some of the best competition around.”
Scott Kernen is in his eighth season and second go-round as Tigers’ golf coach. This was his 15th year overall with the program.
He called Harrah a diamond in the rough.
“Jake is one of those kids that you’d be proud to call your own,” he said. “He’s a great young man but the unique thing about him is that he likes to hang out with adults. He’s a curious kid who wants to gain insight and wisdom from golfers and others who have already done what he would like to do.”
Kernen said you can always find Harrah and don’t have to look any further than the golf course.
“If you want to locate Jake, don’t look any further than Riverview Gold Course,” he siad. “He’s either on the driving range or with his putter or pitching wedge as he drives a golf cart. You hear stories about basketball players sleeping with their ball or football players taking their ball to sleep with them. Jake literally slept with his golf club.
“He’s worked harder than any kid I know and his scholarship to YSU is well-deserved. I am so glad that Tony [Joy] brought him on board because he’s a great fit, both athletically and academically.”