Izzy Aigner leads Greensburg Central Catholic girls to 9th straight WPIAL title; Belle Vernon boys win 1st

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 9:31 PM

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Izzy Aigner missed the WPIAL Class 2A individual golf tournament, an event she might have won.

The Greensburg Central Catholic senior opted to participate in the pro-junior tournament at a PGA Tour Champions event Sept. 19-24 on the Monterey Peninsula in Pebble Beach, Calif.

She was paired with Hempfield graduate and fan favorite Rocco Mediate in the 54-hole event that features a side pro-junior competition for the country’s top high school players.

She was among 80 junior golfers from First Tee chapters across the country to partner with Champions players in a best-ball event, which coincides with the regular tournament on the tour stop. She was able to play Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill Golf Course.

But Aigner didn’t miss the WPIAL team championship Thursday at Cedarbrook Golf Course in Rostraver.

She shot a 2-over-par 74 to lead her team to its ninth consecutive Class 2A title.

“It was a great experience,” Aigner said. “I was a little stressed to make sure I gave us a good lead, and Alayna (Stawovy) came in and added to the lead and the rest of the girls came in either beating their girl or losing a little bit. We pulled through, and I’m very happy and very proud of them this year.”

The Centurions finished with 379 score. Central Valley earned second place by edging Mt. Pleasant, 14-16, in a playoff. Both teams finished at 403.

Backing Aigner were sophomore Stawovy (92), senior Macee Magill (99), freshman Kennedy Kelly (114) and junior Janelle Koval (125).

WPIAL champions advance to the PIAA final Wednesday at Penn State. The PIAA individual tournament is Monday and Tuesday.

In all classifications, the highest score doesn’t count against a team’s final total.

“I was very proud of them,” GCC coach Bob Statler said. “I told them if they had a bad shot, put it behind them and work on every shot as they go and they did it.

“It’s kind of nice to start 20 strokes ahead after your first player. And then Alayna increased it to 30. Winning this again means a lot to the girls. They, whether they said it or not, I’m sure they felt the pressure.”

While Greensburg Central Catholic was celebrating another title, the Belle Vernon boys were celebrating their first.

The Leopards won the Class 2A title with a 417 score, five shots better than Neshannock’s 422.

Senior Rogan Maloney paced the Leopards with a 7-over 79. He was backed by sophomore Jack Edwards (81), sophomore Jordan Mocello (85), junior Seth Tomalski (86), senior John Bellisimo (86) and junior Trevor Kovatch (95).

Belle Vernon coach Melvin Gouker made a slight adjustment to his lineup, and he felt it was the difference in his team’s victory.

The Leopards, who lost in a playoff to Sewickley Academy in 2022, were the heavy favorites to win on their home course.

“This was our first WPIAL title, and last year was our first time here,” Gouker said. “It feels great because we missed it so many times. It was good to be close last year. I felt we were on house money, and it didn’t work out.

“We played better as a team last year, but a win is a win. I felt good about our chances with four starters returning. I expected the scores to be lower because all year we’ve been in the 190 range. That was a little shocking to me.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.