Sep 17, 2024 By Eleanor Bailey 4 min read

Peters Township recently set a school record when the Lady Indians defeated Upper St. Clair, 143-170, in section girls golf action. The Indians are the defending WPIAL and PIAA champions. Pictured from left are: Gabby Catalogna, Sophia Severns, Betty Glyptis, Brooke Vowcheck, Ellie Benson and Olivia Ondrejko.

After capturing a WPIAL and PIAA championships last fall, the Lady Indians of Peters Township have not rested on their laurels in girls’ golf. On the links in 2024, they are on a record pace to repeat the feats they accomplished in 2023.

The Lady Indians are undefeated in their matches this fall. They also clinched their sixth straight section banner.

Most recently, they set a new school record for lowest team score. On Sept. 12, Peters Township defeated rival Upper St. Clair, 143-170, at St. Clair Country Club.

“It was an amazing achievement to set a school record but that just didn’t happen that day,” said PT head coach Mike Lacey. “It was years of practice and preparation by these dedicated student athletes.”

Against USC, Ellie Benson and Betty Glyptis both carded even-par 35s. Sophia Severns followed with a 36 while Brooke Vowcheck provided a 37 to the team’s record score of 143, which was 3-over par.

While their scores did not count, Gabby Catalogna and Olivia Ondrejko participated in the match.

Individually, Benson was favored to repeat as the sectional champion when individual competition started Sept. 17.

The WPIAL individual championships commence with first-round action Sept. 23 at the Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo. The final round will be played Sept. 30 at the Butler Country Club.

Last year, Benson finished runner-up to Myra Morgan from Elizabeth-Forward. Both players are juniors.

“Ellie will be one of the favorites to win the WPIAL individual championship,” Lacey said.

“She has really improved this year. I have seen a big jump in her driving distance and accuracy off the tee as well as her scoring average.”

Benson has lowered her totals and is averaging even par (36) this fall.

Last year, Vowcheck was a Top 10 finisher in the individual championships while Catalogna finished 22nd overall.

As a team, the Lady Indians are looking to pocket their fourth district title in five years. Peters Township won back-to-back WPIAL championships in 2022 and 2023.

Setting a school record in a section match, says Lacey, comes with expectations that “championships must follow” but claiming the title will be a challenge.

“We have a giant target on our back,” Lacey conceded.

Consistency will contribute to bringing home another trophy on Oct. 10. That is the date for the WPIAL boys and girls team championships to be held at the Cedarbrook Golf Course in Belle Vernon.

“We just have to keep playing the way we have been playing,” said Lacey. “So far, the girls have stayed focused and have supported each other. They get to play with a partner from their team each match and they really support each other out there on the course.”

BOYS GOLF

Peters Township advanced six golfers during the Section 5AAA boys’ qualifier hosted by Canon-McMillan at the Lindenwood Golf Course.

Griffin Hansberry and Colton Lusk finished second and third to medalist Michael Qualich from Baldwin. They carded 73 and 74 respectively while Qualich won the match with a 1-under 71 over the 6,455-yard course.

Nick Haught finished sixth with a 75 while Ryan Watterson and Shane Williams rounded out the Top 10 in ninth and 10 places with 77 scores. Ben Miller qualified in 12th position with a 79.

Mt. Lebanon advanced two golfers in Max Pirain and Cooper Whalen as both reached the target score of 81.

Bethel Park qualified Joey Boff. The sophomore shot an 80.

The first round of the WPIAL individual tournament will be held Sept. 23 at the Youghiogheny Country Club in McKeesport while the final round for the championship will be played Oct. 1 at the Oakmont Country Club.