PT girls repeat as district champs
Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Peters Township captured its second straight WPIAL Class AAA championship for girls golf on Oct. 12 at Cedarbrook Golf Club. The Lady Indians posted a 322 score to finish 29 strokes ahead of runner-up Seneca Valley.
By Eleanor Bailey
Gabby Catalogna of Peters Township watches her tee shot during WPIAL Class AAA team championship action at Cedarbrook Golf Club.
By Eleanor Bailey
Ellie Benson uses a little body English to coax her shot into the hole during WPIAL Class AAA team competition. Benson carded a 77 to help Peters Township win its second straight championship.
Once was not enough for the Peters Township varsity girls golf team. They relished winning a WPIAL title in 2022 so much that they did it again in 2023.
The Lady Indians won back-to-back Class AAA championship when they carded a 322 score and defeated Seneca Valley (351), Franklin Regional (355), Moon (360), Upper St. Clair (364) and Fox Chapel (365) in the District 7 finals played Oct. 12 at Cedarbrook Golf Club in Belle Vernon.
Peters Township owns three titles in four seasons. The Indians also won the team championship in 2020.
The 2023 trophy, however, is most cherished.
“This is a better win to back up what we did last year. It’s more satisfying to come back and do it again,” said PT skipper Mike Lacey. “It’s fun.”
Experience clinched the championship for the Lady Indians. Their entire lineup played in last year’s final.
“Bringing everybody back from a WPIAL championship team,” Lacey said was the key to success. “Our experience of being here before helped. We played our game and we knew the course having played it before.”
Brooke Vowcheck led the charge. She earned medalist honors for the second year in a row with an even par 72 on the red course.
“Brooke plays really well in these big events,” Lacey said. “She is a big-match player.”
Vowcheck has played in three WPIAL championship matches and she will compete in her third PIAA championships as the Indians qualified for the state tournament to be held Oct. 16-18 at Penn State. In last year’s state finals, she also posted PT’s lowest score.
“She has been here and done it,” Lacey said.
Ellie Benson, who has qualified individually for the PIAA, followed Vowcheck with a 77. Sophia Severns and Gabby Catalogna finished with 86 and 87 respectively while Amelia Severns covered the course with a 93.
The WPIAL tournament was just a stepping stone for the Lady Indians. They hope to bring home a state championship. For the past two years, they have finished as runners-up, missing the PIAA trophy by two strokes each time.
“The state championship is our goal,” Lacey said. “Somehow we have to get two strokes better.
“We are going to put our best out there and see what happens.”
In Class AA, Greensburg Central Catholic won the title but Seton LaSalle finished fourth in the team standings.
Emily Obara contributed a low score of 85 for the Rebels. Cameron Greiner, Megan Kelley, Marleea Ruscitto and Sarah Fitzgibbon also contributed to the showing.
Among the top performers contributing to USC’s showing were: Olivia Ziegler, Addy Shedd, Liz Delo, Myla Burchill and Mia Capriotti.