Peters Township boys take third again in WPIAL golf
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Kyle McClintock tees off on No. 10 to begin Peters Township’s pursuit of a WPIAL team title in boys golf.
Delaney Kern watches as her putt as it curves away from the hole on the 18th green during WPIAL Class AAA girls team championship action.
Nick Haught of Peters Township shoots his way out of a difficult lie during WPIAL Class 3A team championship action.
Ryan Watterson of Peters Township sinks his putt on No. 9 during WPIAL Class AAA championship action.
Colton Lusk from Peters Township watches his putt attempt approach the hole during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
Nick Wetzel of Peters Township waits for his putt to fall before allowing a hint of a smile to cross his face during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
Rocco Salvitti shot an even par 72 during the WPIAL Class AAA team championships.
Jackson Shellenberger of Mt. Lebanon tees off during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
Carolina McConnell reacts as her final putt of the match falls short of the hole during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
BELLE VERNON – At WPIAL championships, trophies go to the top two teams. Third-place finishers walk away with nothing but regret at the present and incentive for the future.
Such was the case for the Peters Township boys golf program.
For the second straight season, the Indians took third during the district championships Oct. 14 at Cedarbrook Golf Course.
Fox Chapel edged Central Catholic, 376-377, to claim the Class 3A title while the Indians placed third with a 390 score. Mt. Lebanon tied Seneca Valley for fourth with 402 totals followed by Mars with a 404.
“You are never happy when you don’t win,” said PT head coach David Kuhn. “The players are not happy to be third and neither are we (the coaches). That is a good thing moving forward because they will be motivated to come back better. These guys love to compete. They are what our program has been built upon for 22 years now.”
Under Kuhn, the Indians have competed in 18 team championships in 19 years, 15 of them in a row. Also for the 15th time, the Indians have never finished lowered than third place.
Austin Malley was on par with the best. A junior, he shot an even-par 72. His score equalled that of Central Catholic’s Rocco Salvitti, a Canonsburg resident, and was one shot behind medalist Eli Yofan of Fox Chapel. A senior, Yofan fired a one-under 71.
“Austin stepped up,” said Kuhn. “He’s a great athlete and tremendous hockey player that is new to golf. He is one of only two returning starters from last year’s club.”
Kyle McClintock was the lone senior in the PT lineup. He birdied the final two holes to shoot 79.
Freshmen Ryan Watterson and Colton Lusk also finished in the 70s with 77 and 78, respectively. Junior Nick Wentzel and freshman Nick Haught carded 84 and 86.
“To take third when you come in with three freshman in your lineup going against senior-dominant, older teams that are really talented and good says a lot,” Kuhn said.
Callan Wilcox fired the low score for Mt. Lebanon. A junior, he carded a 76.
The remaining roster featured seniors.
Josh Shellenberger and Hollis Whalen shots 81s while Jackson Shellenberger and Zach Dyke fired 82. Niko Renton finished with an 84.
“We played decent but you have to be at your best to beat these top teams,” said Lebo coach Al D’Alo.
For the Blue Devils, it was their first finals appearance since 2017. They reached the championship round by finishing third in the semifinals held at the par-72, 6310-yard course at Beaver Valley Golf Club.
With a 401 behind Central and Seneca Valley, Lebo eliminated the other contenders: Upper St. Clair (409), Shady Side Academy (412), Belle Vernon (417), Moon (423), Blackhawk (436), Bethel Park (445), and West Allegheny (445).
“This was one of our better seasons,” said D’Alo. “I could not be prouder for our guys. They’ve set the bar higher than it’s been in a long time and that’s good for the program.
“My seniors will be missed. It was a pleasure to be around them. Every one of them had a great season and great rounds of golf.”
Girls
After winning their first WPIAL championship in 2020, the Peters Township girls looked forward to duplicating that performance.
Fox Chapel, however, had other plans. With a senior-heavy lineup, the Foxes unseated the Indians, 327-332. North Allegheny (339), Franklin Regional (353) and South Fayette (356) rounded out the top 5.
“It’s a letdown,” admitted PT coach Mike Lacey. “We thought we had a really good chance and that we would could repeat as champions. We wanted to win but finishing second out of how many teams in Western Pennsylvania is an accomplishment. We are still quite happy.”
Senior Allison Poon led the Indians with a 75. She was runner-up to Paige Scott from Butler for medalist honors. Scott shot an even par 72.
Delaney Kern (80) was PT’s only other senior in a lineup that featured freshmen Brooke Vowcheck and Sophia Severns as well as sophomore Amelia Severns.
After capturing their first WPIAL golf championship in 2020, the Peters Township girls looked forward to duplicating that performance in 2021.
Fox Chapel, however, had other plans. With a senior-heavy line-up, the Foxes unseated the Indians, 327-332. North Allegheny (339), Franklin Regional (353) and South Fayette(356) rounded out the Top 5.
“It’s a letdown,” admitted PT coach Mike Lacey. “We thought we had a really good chance and that we would could repeat as champions. We wanted to win but finishing second out of how many teams in western Pennsylvania is an accomplishment. We are still quite happy.”
Lacey tipped his cap to the Foxes. He said they were the better club that day. They won the match outright by shooting the better scores.
“I was impressed with how well they played,” he said.”
Senior Allison Poon led the Indians with a 75. She was runner-up to Paige Scott from Butler for medalist honors. Scott shot an even par 72.
Delaney Kern (80) was PT’s only other senior in a line-up that featured freshmen Brooke Vowcheck and Sophia Severns as well as sophomore Amelia Severns.
“They played four seniors and we had two freshmen and I was worried the event would be too big for them and that they would be a little scared but they played well,” Lacey said.
“Hopefully we’ll be back next year and take it all,” he concluded.
NOTES: Caroline McConnell and Marissa Malosh shot low scores of 76 and 78 for South Fayette.