Numpho-Frank and Alexander Are Golf’s Golden Girls, Win WPIAL Championships

By: Bruce Markey
Monday, October 1, 2012 | 8:58 PM

In what were some tough conditions Monday at 3 Lakes Golf Course, the WPIAL held the Class AAA and AA Girls Golf Championship. Play was delayed by 90 minutes at the start due to heavy fog, the fairways were still damp from the weekend rain, but the greens dried out and were lighting fast.

In the Class AAA championships, Janista Numpho-Frank of Hempfield claimed her first gold medal with a four-over par 76. The senior survived a challenge from sophomore Lauren Waller of Canon-McMillan down the stretch. Numpho-Frank shot even par over the front nine, but struggled slightly on the back side, shooting a 40. Waller fired two under 34 on the back nine, she finished two shots back at 78. Senior Lizzie Hammell was four shots off the lead at 80 and finished third.

The top seven finishers in Class AAA qualify for the PIAA Western Regional Championship on October 15 at Tom's Run Golf Course in Blairsville. All three medalists qualified as well as Haley Borkovich of Penn-Trafford, Shannon Gramley of Shady Side Academy and Johnna Beehner of Gateway. Megan Leto of North Allegheny won the final spot in a four-way playoff with a par on the second hole.

Numpho-Frank said she putted well, especially on the front nine, she finished fifth in last year's championship.

In the first ever Class AA championship, Gillian Alexander of Jefferson-Morgan claimed the gold medal with a six over par 78. The sophomore bested junior Macky Fouse of Central Valley who shot 80. Freshman Maddy McDaniel, also of Central Valley shot 86 to finish third.

Alexander handled the pressure well, playing with an even stroke, which was reflective in her scoring, shooting 39 on both nines. Fouse improved in the final nine holes, shooting 41 on the front and 39 on the back.

Here are all the scores from today's championships, the top eight finishers in Class AA also qualify for the PIAA Western Regional in two weeks.

GIRLS CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIP:
Janista Numpho-Frank – Hempfield  76
Lauren Waller – Canon-McMillan  78
Lizzie Hammell – North Allegheny  80
Hailey Borkovitch – Penn Trafford  81
Shannon Gramley – Shady Side Academy  83
Johnna Beehler – Gateway  84
Megan Lato – North Allegheny  86  won playoff
(all 7 qualify for the PIAA Western Regional Qualifier on October 15)

Other Scores:
Ashley Demoss – Fox Chapel  86  (alternate)
Melissa Kearney – Upper St. Clair  86
Alana Hiner – Peters Township  86
Kelsey Phillips – North Allegheny 87
Ashton Mamula – Trinty  88
Allie Gennaula – Thomas Jefferson  89
Alex Schwab – Franklin Regional  89
Bridger Merten – Mars  91
Harmony Shepardson – Peters Township 91
Casey Doran – Penn Trafford  92
Morgan Rector – Penn Trafford  92
Marissa Balish – Hampton  93
Mia Barchetti – Penn Trafford  94
Marlee Tyler – North Allegheny  96
Mallory Stack – Shaler  96
Maura Kelly – Pine Richland  97
Synclaire Kuhn – Peters Township  99
Alexa Strong – Indiana  103
Abigail Vietmeier – Montour  105
Samantha Schumacher – Plum  105
Alex Steighner – Seneca Valley  108

GIRLS CLASS AA CHAMPIONSHIP
Gillian Alexander – Jefferson Morgan  78
Macky Fouse – Central Valley  80
Maddy McDaniel – Central Valley  86
Audrey Clawon – Freeport  87
Abbie Helbling – Beaver  94
Marissa Sudar – Central Valley  95
Sydney Syster – Derry  99
Andrea Lash – Frazier  99
(top 8 qualify for PIAA Western Regional)

Other Scores:
Marissa Kirkwood – Neshannock  106
Danielle Brnilovich – Mount Pleasant  110

Tags: Hempfield Area, Jefferson-Morgan