South Fayette golfer one stroke off the pace
One stroke separated Luke Lestini from medalist honors during the WPIAL boys individual semifinal qualifier.
The South Fayette senior fired a 4-over-par 74 and finished runner-up to Donnie Professori from Pine-Richland during the match played Sept. 23 at Hannastown Golf Club in Greensburg.
Lestini and Professori led the list of 18 qualifiers, half from the South Hills area, for the WPIAL Class AAA championships to be held Oct. 1 at Fox Chapel Country Club.
South Fayette’s James Cavrak also advanced. The sophomore carded a 79 and finished 12th overall.
Peters Township topped the list of qualifiers with four golfers moving on to the WPIAL championships.
Andrew Poon placed sixth while Ellian Ascencio followed in eighth place. Both posted 78 scores. Mason Takacs finished in 14th and Christian Schreiber finished 15th with an 80 and 81, respectively.
Scott Jordan paced Upper St. Clair, which advanced three golfers. The junior finished fourth overall, carding a 77.
Nathan Piatt finished in 10th place and Jack Urban followed in 13th place. The pair shot a 79 and an 80, respectively.
Eleven girls go for gold
Eleven area female golfers will go for the gold during the WPIAL individual championships set for Oct. 2 at Diamond Run Golf Club in Sewickley.
Peters Township led the list of qualifiers with four golfers.
During the Section 2 championships played at Fox Run Golf Course, Ella McRoberts set the pace for the Indians, claiming runner-up honors with a 76. Allison Poon fired an 80 while Delaney Kern and Morgan Byers carded 84 and 85, respectively, to clinch their spots in the finals.
Caroline McConnell, however, earned medalist honors during the sectional. The South Fayette sophomore carded a 74. As a freshman, McConnell tied for third place in the WPIAL championships and qualified for the 2018 PIAA finals.
McConnell’s teammate, Marissa Malosh, shot under the target score of 87 and earned a berth in the WPIAL championships. The SF freshman finished with an 86.
Upper St. Clair advanced three golfers, including Sara Steve, who was a PIAA qualifier last season. Steve placed 10th overall, tying her teammate, Mary Groninger. Both shot 86s.
Tori Slagle led the Panthers contingent. The sophomore finished fifth overall, with a round of 78.
Lindsey Powanda took third overall. The Mt. Lebanon sophomore registered a 78. She was a PIAA qualifier last year as a freshman and the WPIAL runner-up.
Jamie Rush completed the list of district qualifiers. The Canon-McMillan junior posted a score of 86. She placed in the top 10 in last year’s district championships.