Cole Dynda was determined to do something he hadn’t done in his previous trips to the Colonial League Golf Championships.

Stay away from the leaderboard.

“I especially told myself to stay off the online leaderboard,” Dynda said. “That was a big part of how I played today, and I was happy. In the last two years, it got in my head and threw off my game.”

The Northwestern senior fired a 6-over 77 Tuesday at Bethlehem Golf Club to tie for fifth among the boys.

Dynda was one of several area golfers who put themselves in position to continue into the District 11 postseason.

Dynda’s irons and driver were strengths throughout the round, and his game came together down the stretch. He opened with a 40 on the front nine before closing with a 37.

“I felt good today,” said Dynda, who had four bogeys and one double bogey. “There were definitely some holes where I could have sprayed the ball better, especially on the ninth, where I double-bogeyed.

“My putting was alright, but it started heating up at the end, which I definitely needed. My irons and driver were really on point today, which was immaculate. It all combined really well.”

Dynda had hoped to finish in the top five and accomplished that goal, tying Southern Lehigh’s Connor Sarnoski with a 77.

“I just had as much confidence as I could in myself and kept going past mistakes as if they didn’t happen,” Dynda said. “I just let all the bad stuff go.”

Throughout the season, Northwestern head coach Tim Miller has admired Dynda’s competitive approach.

“Cole is a fierce competitor,” Miller said. “Playing in the group with the overall medalist, he stayed with him shot for shot. Only made one bad swing with the driver that cost him a double bogey.

“When he missed greens, he consistently got up and down, making putts to save strokes. In every round, he played his all-around game that put him with the best in the league.”

Miller also praised Dynda’s impact on the program.

“One of the best golfers I have had in my 16 years of coaching,” Miller said. “I’m very proud of him.”

Salisbury’s Chase Yakaitis captured the boys championship with a 2-over 73. Saucon Valley’s Anthony Albano was second with a 74, followed by Bangor’s Landon Romanczuk with a 75.

Southern Lehigh’s Lexi Miller repeated as the girls champion with a 3-over 74.

BOMBERS AWAY ... Palmerton’s Mary Jane O’Brien shot a 100 and finished fifth among the girls.

“It was her best round of the season,” Palmerton head coach Alex Knoll said. “I’m very happy for her. Overall, it was a tough day weather-wise, and our guys struggled a bit.”

Teammate Joey Solt carded an 82, while Tucker DeSousa had a 94 and Coulton Becker shot a 101.

Palmerton’s Jared Grammes did not compete in the league tournament, opting instead to play in the Lehigh Valley Amateur. Grammes is exempt from the District 11 qualifier after advancing to states last season.

TIGERS’ DEN ... In addition to Dynda, Northwestern’s Mason Malosh shot an 87, Jake Kozlowski a 96 and Brayden Hecker, Wagner Sarocco and Skylar Kern each finished with a 98. Ike Banner carded a 99.

Northwestern finished fourth in the team standings with a 458. Southern Lehigh won the team championship with a 385, followed by Moravian Academy (414) and Notre Dame-Green Pond (432).

INDIANS, OLYMPIANS ... Lehighton’s Mikey D’Amico shot a 95, while teammate Kase Kleintop finished with a 103. Jim Thorpe’s Cooper Kresge carded a 104.

The District 11 qualifier is scheduled for Sept. 29 at Shawnee on the Delaware, with the District 11 Championships set for Oct. 6 at Steel Club in Hellertown.