Scores falling for Shady Side Academy grad Casey Morrow at Bucknell

After a breakthrough season, Shady Side Academy graduate and Bucknell women’s golfer Casey Morrow continues to climb.

Morrow, a junior, was the Bison’s top finisher (77-72-79) in the season-opening Bucknell Invitational on Sept. 14-15. Her total score of 228 tied her for 18th place.

The Bison came in seventh of nine teams.

Morrow followed with a team-best 226 (74-78-74) in the Nittany Lion Invitational on Sept. 20-21 at Penn State.

She tied for 22nd place, and the Bison placed ninth of 12.

In August, the 20-year-old Mars native earned the women’s title at the Butler Eagle Amateur Open, in which she fired a 72.

“Last year, I really elevated my game,” Morrow said.

Bucknell coach Lisa Francisco said Morrow has become the player she expected when she recruited her.

“She really took off,” Francisco said.

Francisco said Morrow, who helped Shady Side Academy to the 2016 PIAA Class AAA title, is a confident person.

“She’s driven to be a good player,” Francisco said. “We go on the road all the time. Casey rises to that challenge.”

The Bucknell Invitational was the Bison’s only home event this fall.

Morrow, who started golfing at age 8, said she was not nearly as confident as a junior golfer.

“I’ve become lot more mature and gained consistency,” she said.

Morrow played in all five spring events last season, averaging 79.6 strokes. She had a full-season average of 78, which was second on the team. Her fall scoring average, 76.7, also was second best.

She tied for 21st at the Patriot League championship (80-80-79).

Francisco said Morrow, a biology major who made the 2018-19 Patriot League Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll, also is driven in the classroom.

“(We) look for Casey to be a leader,” Francisco said.