Nick Vecellio knows about qualifying for districts.

In three years on the Northwestern Lehigh High School golf team, Vecellio has competed in all three District 11 Qualifiers and played his way into the district championship tournament field each time.

He did it again Monday at Woodstone Golf Club in Danielsville. The junior shot an 83, the fourth-lowest score in Class AA, to easily advance from that event on to next week's District 11 Class AA Championship at Shawnee Golf Course.

"I didn't hit it great," Vecellio said. "The driver was solid but the irons were pretty bad. Short game was all right. No big numbers, just kept it in play all day."

Vecellio knows that is the key to a tournament like regionals, in which there are no medals or awards for finishing first or among the top. The only reward for playing well at the qualifier is a berth in the district championship tournament.

"You're just trying to keep your head on, get the ball out there, hit it solid, make a few putts," said Vecellio. "I had a personal goal of breaking 80 because I've been really fighting the swing lately. I knew scores were going to be high because the course is playing tough."

Vecellio made six pars, seven bogeys, two birdies and three double bogeys. He is one of 18 Class AA players in a field of 33 to advance to the 27-hole district tournament next week at Shawnee.

He'll need to finish in the top six at districts to advance to regionals and keep alive one of his major goals for this season.

"The goal has always been to make states this year," he said. "This is another step along the road. I've just got to keep my head down and keep playing well."

Northwestern teammate Cole Miller was exempt from district qualifying based on his Colonial League title and because he is a returning state qualifier.

For Vecellio to make his first appearance at states, he'll have to get through districts and then the PIAA East Regional Tournament, which will be played Oct. 16 at Golden Oaks Golf Course in Fleetwood.

"I just have to put in some work this week and figure the swing out and I should be ready to go come Monday," Vecellio said.

Eamon Marone of Notre Dame (Green Pond) shot Monday's lowest score, carding a 1-over par 73 at Woodstone. The lowest round in Class AAA went to 2010 District 11 champ Evan Notaro, who shot 75.

The Class AAA field, which played the same course right alongside the Class AA players, included 53 golfers with 20 moving on to the championship tournament.