North Allegheny boys add 1st PIAA team golf title; Peters Township girls go back to back

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 9:01 PM

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The North Allegheny boys golf team ended a 50-year drought by winning the WPIAL Class 3A team title Oct. 10.

Now North Allegheny athletic director Bob Bozzuto has to find more room for the PIAA team championship trophy.

The Tigers capped a tremendous season by winning their first PIAA title Wednesday at Penn State University’s White Course with a winning score of 2-under par 286. South Fayette was second, shooting a 2-over par 290.

The girls championship was decided by a playoff between WPIAL champion Peters Township and District 3 champion Manheim Central. Peters Township, which won in 2023, won its second consecutive title in a four-hole playoff.

Ellie Benson recorded a birdie and Brooke Vowcheck and Sophia Severns recorded pars on the decisive hole.

“It was an emotional day and an exciting finish,” Peters Township coach Mike Lacey said. “It was a team effort. The girls stayed patient in difficult conditions. The course was hard and firm, and they were amazing. They played well.”

Benson shot a 3-over 75 while Severns and Vowcheck each shot a 76. They and Manheim set a Class 3A record for low scores.

In the girls PIAA tournament, teams are allowed five players but only the low three scores count. The others playing were Betty Glyptis (84) and Gabby Catalogna (91).

“These girls are exhausted,” Lacey said. “They played a lot of golf since Sunday. But they found a way.”

Lacey said the team was going to receive a police escort to the school when they get back.

The Fox Chapel girls tied for fifth, shooting a 254. Clara Koteski led the way with an 82. Ava Calandra had an 83 and Gabby Devita an 89.

Ravi Desai led the North Allegheny boys by shooting a 4-under 68. Christopher Hoffman followed with a 2-under 70.

Rounding out the scores were Preston Troiano with an even-par 72 and Liam Cooper with a 4-over 76.

“It was very stressful,” North Allegheny coach Pat Nevin said. “I saw a lot of amazing golfers who were displaying their abilities.

“It was exciting, and the boys played well. The par-3 seventh hole was pivotal. We played it well and it probably won us the title.”

South Fayette’s Sam Bishop had the round of the day. He shot an 8-under par 64. The Lions’ other scores counted were Brady Newman at 2-over 74 and Randy Fisher and Jackson Stephens at 4-over 76.

“What Sam did was something,” Nevin said. “Ravi also played well. He was burning the cup and couldn’t get birdie putts to drop. It was crazy, but it turned out to be a great day.”

In the boys tournament, five play but the four lowest scores are counted. Colin Ward shot a 79 for North Allegehny.

In Class 2A on the Blue Course, Scranton Prep boys and Fairview girls won the team titles.

Scranton Prep shot an 8-over 296 to defeat Erie Prep, which finished with 305, and Devon Prep was third with a 310.

Greensburg Central Catholic boys placed fourth with a 313, West Shamokin (District 6) and WPIAL champion North Catholic each had a 316 to finish tied for fifth. Braden Riley and Sean Walker led the Centurions with a 4-over 76. Chris Faber shot a 1-over 73 for North Catholic.

As for the girls, Fairview (District 10) breezed past Tunkhannock by 20 strokes. Fairview had a 234 and Tunkhannock a 254. Hickory was third with a 257 and WPIAL champion Shady Side Academy, led by Alyssa Zhang’s 1-over 73, was fourth with a 273. Greensburg Central Catholic was tied for sixth with Trinity (Camp Hill) with 285.

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.