Waller wins regional
Lauren Waller earned medalist honors during the Western Regional Tournament, which served as the qualifier for this week’s PIAA championships held in York. The Canon-McMillan junior shot a 4-over-par 76 to finish first on the 18-hole course at Tom’s Run in Blairsville.
Mia Kness followed as runner-up, two strokes off the pace set by Waller. The Peters Township freshman carded a 78.
Joey Walz of Seton-La Salle advanced out of the Class AA girls’ division.
Melissa Kearney just missed the cut. The Upper St. Clair senior finished tied for seventh in the regional.
While only the top six finishers among the girls moved on to the state finals, the PIAA accepted the top 12 boys from the west regional, also held at Tom’s Run.
In Class AAA, Grant Engel finished, two strokes behind medalist Patrick Sheerer from Fox Chapel. The USC senior carded a 73 while Sheerer fired a 1-under-par 71. Hollidaysburg’s Hunter Shields finished runner-up with a 72.
Engel’s teammate, Thomas Steve also qualified with a 79. He needed a two-hole playoff to earn his berth in the PIAA championships.
Corey Long finished tied for sixth with a 76. The South Fayette senior entered the state finals as the WPIAL champion.
Josh Verner missed the cut. The Peters Township duffer tied for 14th with an 80 score.