Peters Township finish 1-2 in WPIAL team golf championships
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Peters Township captured its second WPIAL girls’ title in three years when the Lady Indians best runner-up North Allegheny by two strokes, 328-330, during the Class AAA championships played at Cedar Brook Country Club on Oct. 13 in Belle Vernon. With the win, the Lady Indians advance to the PIAA finals, where they have been state runners-up for the past two years.
Nick Haught of Peters Township hits his shot out of the bunker and onto the green during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action. The senior helped the Indians finish runner-up to Central Catholic.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Ellie Benson of Peters Township watches her tee shot during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
Marissa Malosh tees on on No. 17 during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action. The South Fayette senior earned medalist honors with a 1-under-par 71 and helped the Lady Lions finish fourth in the team standings.
Marissa Malosh chips out of a sticky situation during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
Griffin Hansberry of Peters Township attempts to coax the ball into the hole but to no avail during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
Nick Wetzel of Peters Township tees off on No. 10 during WPIAL Classs AAA team championship action.
Brooke Vowcheck of Peters Township watches as her shot approaches the hole during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
A wide-eyed Colton Lusk of Peters Township watches his tee shot on No. 9 during the WPIAL Class AAA team championships.
Ben Miller watches the tragectory of his shot off the No. 10 tee during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action.
Colton Lusk of Peters Township intently watches putt on No. 9 during the WPIAL Class AAA team championships.
Colton Lusk grits his teeth as he watches his approach shot on No. 9 during the WPIAL Class AAA team championships.
The WPIAL awards two trophies during team championships. The winner gets the large one; the runner-up, the smaller one.
Peters Township took home both sizes on Oct. 13 after the golf championships scores were totaled in the clubhouse at Cedar Brook Golf Course in Belle Vernon.
By two strokes, the Lady Indians edged North Allegheny, 328-330, for the Class AAA girls’ crown. The title was the second in three years for Mike Lacey’s club. Last year, the PT girls finished runners-up to Fox Chapel.
“After last year, we set this as the goal at the beginning of the year,” Lacey said. “I am really proud of the girls and so very excited for them. To accomplish this goal with such young players is quite the achievement.
After graduating two seniors from last year’s team, the Lady Indians went with three freshman and two sophomores in their lineup.
“We lost two really good golfers but the girls stepped up and filled those spots,” Lacey said. “These girls worked real hard and the improvement we saw one year to the next was the difference.”
Sophomore Brooke Vowcheck carded a low-score of 78 for the Indians. Freshman Ellie Benson followed with an 81. Sophomore Sophia Severns contributed an 82 while Amelia Severns, a junior, submitted an 87.
Sophomore Gabby Catalogna also participated in the match as the team’s fifth competitor.
“We are very balanced and a close team too,” Lacey said. “The girls root for each other and want to see each other do well.”
The Lady Indians are now qualified for the PIAA team tournament to be held Oct. 17-18 at Penn State. The PT girls have been state runners-up for the past two years.
“One of these years, we will do it,” said Lacey of claiming a state title. He also predicted future success for his young squad. “Next year, we will be in the running again for the WPIAL championship.”
Under head coach David Kuhn, the PT boys have always been in the running for the district title. So finishing runner-up this year in the Class AAA boys’ standings produced mixed emotions for the long-time skipper.
“Somebody mentioned to me that we have been here so many times,” Kuhn started. “If you would take me back 23 years and say you are going to be in the finals 29 times in 20 years and miss one year by one shot, finish first, second or third 15 times, and win 27 percent of these championships, and have all theses great kids and parents, then I would say sign me up.”
Despite their work ethic, the PT boys left Cedar Brook with the small reward. The Indians finished runner-up to Central Catholic. They lost the championship hardware by two strokes, 389-391.
I am disappointed for the kids. They gave a great effort,” Kuhn said. “It’s never fun to get the small trophy. You always want the big one.”
The Vikings grabbed the top award thanks to a big effort by Rocco Salvitti. The Canonsburg native, who won the WPIAL individual title last week, earned medalist honors. The Notre Dame recruit fired a 1-under-par 71.
“Congratulations to Central. They played well and beat us,” Kuhn said. “They have a super star player and he deserves everything that he gets. He’s a great player.”
PT received an enormous effort from its two seniors. Nick Wetzel, who will attend Penn State, and Austin Malley (undecided) carded 82 and 75 scores.
“Nick played his heart out,” Kuhn said. “He worked hard in the off season and turned himself into a significantly better player than he was.
“Austin is a tremendous athlete and he really stepped up when we needed him to. I’m really proud of those guys; proud of my seniors.”
Kuhn was equally pleased with his youth. Sophomores Colton Lusk and Griffin Hansberry produced 76 scores while Ben Miller carded an 82. Nick Haught is also a sophomore, who competed in the championships.
“We are very young and anybody who knows me knows that I am already strategizing for next year,” said Kuhn. “We have a great group coming back and these young guys will learn from this. This is extra motivation.
“We will be back, locked and loaded,” vowed Kuhn. “We will come back even better.”
Upper St. Clair finished fourth in the Class AAA boys’ team standings.
Junior Neil Joon carded a 78 to lead the Panthers, who rolled up a 411 team score.
Other contributors for the Panthers included: senior Kyle Kerber (80), sophomore Connor McKenzie (83) junior Ian Kirk (84), senior P.J. Tanner (86) and senior Johnny McShane (92).
Marissa Malosh earned medalist honors during the WPIAL Class AAA girls’ team golf championships. The South Fayette senior carded a 1-under-par 70.
“This is a course that I have played for years,” said Malosh, who has won back-to-back WPIAL individual titles. “It’s one of my favorites.”
Malosh, whose score helped the Lady Lions finish fifth in the team standings, found the course to her liking because it simulates Penn State, where she will compete next week for a PIAA championship.
“I feel like this is a good course to compare and prepare for Penn State,” she said. “My driver came together. My irons were back. My putting was good.”
Malosh’s mind game was on par as well, particularly since the first half of the match was played in less than ideal weather conditions.
“Honestly, I like playing in rain. I don’t mind bad weather that much because everybody is dealing with it. So I don’t let it get in my head. If I didn’t let it affect me, then that will help me.
“I feel that I have always been able to physically do this. Hit my irons as good as last year, drive the ball, maybe farther. But it’s just now that I know how to control my head. I am doing so much better staying calm.”
Malosh maintained her composure, particularly after being two over after three holes.
“I just tried to bounce back and I did,” she said. ” It’s my head, my mentality that saves me.”