Juniors Wrigley of NA (3-A) & McKelvey of Sew Acad (2-A) Win WPIAL Girls Golf Gold
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Thursday, October 5, 2017 | 1:06 AM
On the hot and sunny day at Diamond Run Golf Club in Sewickley, the WPIAL crowned a pair of girls’ individual golf champions, as North Allegheny’s Caroline Wrigley repeated in Class AAA, while Sewickley Academy’s Tatum McKelvey claimed gold in AA. Wrigley, a junior, shot a remarkable 67, which was 5-under par and four strokes better than the closest competitor. Meanwhile, McKelvey, also a junior, secured a one-stroke win by scoring a 9-over 81.
With the top qualifying groups playing first, Wrigley joined Lauren Freyvogel of Pine-Richland and Natalie Welsh of Mars in setting the pace. Although tested by Freyvogel, who shot 1-under par, Wrigley was in command from the first tee, as she notched five birdies and an eagle in her round, which established a personal-best score.
Wrigley’s teammate, junior Christina Lewis, came in third with a 77, while Jessica Meyers of Oakland Catholic and Danae Rugola of Uniontown rounded up the top five with a 78 and 79, respectively. With the top seven competitors advancing to the PIAA Western Regional at Tom’s Run Golf Course in Blairsville on Oct. 16, Mars’ Natalie Welsh and NA’s Esha Vaidya claimed the final spots.
While the scores were not nearly as low in the Class AA tournament, the drama was certainly increased. McKelvey played in the top group along with defending champion Kiaria Porter of Central Valley and Abby Zambruno of Greensburg Central Catholic. McKelvey, who was playing on her home course, struggled down the stretch, shooting 7-over on the final four holes. The Panthers’ junior edged Porter by a single stroke, but Maddie Smithco of Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, who was playing in the next group, had a chance to tie McKelvey and force a playoff. Smithco’s putt for par was off the mark, however, sealing the golden outcome for McKelvey.
Zambruno, the younger sister of Olivia Zambruno, a two-time WPIAL Class AA champion, concluded her round with a 12-over 84. Her Centurions’ teammate, Kaylene Chavez finished fifth, while Leelah Ohayan (Acquinas Academy), Lindsay Sethman (Brownsville) and Joei Rittmiller (Hopewell) rounded out the eight qualifiers for the Western Regional.
AAA Girls Individual Championship
| 1 | Caroline Wrigley – North Allegheny – 11 | 67 | -5 | |
| 2 | Lauren Freyvogel – Pine Richland – 11 | 71 | -1 | |
| 3 | Christina Lewis – North Allegheny – 11 | 77 | +5 | |
| 4 | Jessica Meyers – Oakland Catholic – 11 | 78 | +6 | |
| 5 | Danae Rugola – Uniontown – 11 | 79 | +7 | |
| 6 | Natalie Welsh – Mars 12 | 81 | +9 | |
| 7 | Esha Vaidya – North Allegheny – 10 | 82 | +10 | |
| 8 | Taylor Waller – Canon MacMillan – 12 | 83 | +11 | |
| 9 | Kennedy Johnston – Seneca Valley – 12 | 85 | +13 | |
| T10 | Hannah Folk – Butler – 12 | 86 | +14 | |
| T10 | Mary Groninger – Upper St. Clair – 10 | 86 | +14 | |
| 12 | Alexandra Muracco – Shady Side Academy – 12 | 88 | +16 | |
| 13 | Taylor Short – Hempfield – 12 | 91 | +19 | |
| T14 | Hannah Conroy – Fox Chapel – 12 | 93 | +21 | |
| T14 | Maggie Feczko – Butler – 11 | 93 | +21 | |
| T14 | Rhianna Firmstone – Moon – 9 | 93 | +21 | |
| 17 | Lauren Barber – Penn Trafford – 9 | 95 | +23 | |
| T18 | Anna Stowers – Penn Trafford – 12 | 97 | +25 | |
| T18 | Jocelyn Behr – Franklin Regional – 12 | 97 | +25 | |
| T18 | Victoria Witouski – Mars – 9 | 97 | +25 | |
| 21 | Lindsay Frabotta – New Castle – 11 | 110 | +38 |
AA Girls Individual Championship
| 1 | Tatum McKelvey – Sewickley Academy – 11 | 81 | +9 | |
| T2 | Kiaria Porter – Central Valley – 11 | 82 | +10 | |
| T2 | Maddie Smithco – Cardinal Wuerl NC – 10 | 82 | +10 | |
| 4 | Abby Zambruno – Greensburg CC – 11 | 84 | +12 | |
| 5 | Kaylene Chavez – Greensburg CC – 12 | 88 | +16 | |
| 6 | Leelah Ohayan – Aquinas Academy – 12 | 90 | +18 | |
| 7 | Lindsay Sethman – Brownsville – 9 | 91 | +19 | |
| 8 | Joei Rittmiller – Hopewell – 12 | 92 | +20 | |
| T9 | Brianna Fleming – Central Valley – 12 | 93 | +21 | |
| T9 | Zoe Luther – Sewickley Academy – 10 | 93 | +21 | |
| 11 | Katie Carlson – Avonworth – 2 | 99 | +27 |
More Golf
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• State champion North Allegheny boys golf team reflects on ‘epic’ season
• Young Thomas Jefferson golf team builds solid foundation
• Low-scoring sophomore sets tone for Baldwin golf team
