Penn Cambria senior to golf at Mount Aloysius College

CRESSON, Pa. – By her own admission, college golf was not on Penn Cambria High School senior Kiya Thomas’ radar as a freshman.

Steady improvement throughout her career allowed Thomas to reach the next level. Her scores kept going down and college coaches became interested.

As a sign of her growth on the links, Thomas officially committed to play golf at nearby Mount Aloysius College Thursday afternoon.

“I started my freshman year,” Thomas said of her golf career. “Back then, I didn’t really think I was going to play (in college). After I worked to get better, colleges started reaching out.”

Thomas will play for Mount Aloysius women’s golf coach Dylan Link, a Bishop Carroll Catholic graduate who teaches at Penn Cambria. Mount Aloysius competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

“It’s really close to home,” Thomas said. “Everyone there I’ve met is really nice. I know the golf coach, too, so that was a factor. They have a good nursing program, which is what I’m going for.

“Out of all of the colleges I was looking at, it had the best (nursing) program, so that was definitely my decision-maker.”

Mount Aloysius practices at Summit Country Club, which is a course Thomas is very accustomed to.

“I grew up at the Summit since I was little,” Thomas said. “It’s my home course.”

Penn Cambria graduate Kaylee Mento is a junior on the team at Mount Aloysius.

Thomas’ improvement showed across all aspects of her game.

“I feel all around,” Thomas said of what has improved.

“My scores have gotten better.”

Thomas played on the softball team at Penn Cambria before focusing on golf. Some of her fondest memories were made on the golf course.

While golf has its ebbs and flows, the sport allows Thomas to calm herself down.

“It’s definitely difficult, but I think it’s calming, especially on a good day,” Thomas said. “It’s fun. I like walking around and hanging out with my friends.”

Thomas is the daughter of Bill and Crystal Thomas.

Jake Oswalt is a copy editor for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @TheWizOfOz11.