Peters Township has historic day, sweeps PIAA golf titles

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 6:59 PM

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It took a record performance, but the Peters Township golf program won that elusive PIAA championship and made history in doing so.

The boys shot a record-tying 4-under par 284, and the girls shot a record 15-over 231 Wednesday at Penn State’s Blue Course to sweep the boys and girls team titles.

Peters Township is the first school to accomplish that feat in the state. The Indians boys and girls were three-time runners-up. The boys finished second in 2008, 2009 and 2015 and the girls in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Boys coach David Kuhn said he was holding his breath as the event was ending.

“It was really tight,” Kuhn said. “We had a nice lead and then LaSalle College finished strong.”

A birdie by Nick Haught on his final hole, No. 9, sealed the win.

Colton Lusk led the Indians by shooting a 7-under par 65 and Griffin Lansberry followed with a 1-under 71. Shane Williams and Haught each finished with a 2-over 74.

LaSalle College finished with a 2-under 286. Unlike the WPIAL, which plays six and counts five scores, the PIAA allows teams to play five and count four scores.

“Colton had a great three days,” Kuhn said. “We were 8-under after our first two golfers in, and then it got tight as LaSalle started making birdies.

“This win is not for me. This is for the players, the school, the community and the alumni. We’ve had a lot of close calls here. This time we finally got over the hump.”

The Peters Township girls edged out Manheim Township, which finished with a 236.

Ellie Benson led the Indians with a 1-over 73. Brooke Voycheck followed with a 78 and Sophia Severns shot an 80. The girls play four players and count three scores.

In Class 2A, which was played on the White Course, Devon Prep edged Belle Vernon, 301-306.

Leading the way for the Leopards were Jordan Mocello and Seth Tomalski, each shooting a 2-over 74. Rogan Maloney and Jack Edwards each shot a 79.

Scranton Prep was third with a 307.

In Class 2A girls, Hickory ran away with the title by shooting a record 4-over 220. Fairview was second with a 245 and Greensburg Central Catholic was third with a 273.

Izzy Aigner led the Centurions with a 6-over 78. Alayna Stawovy shot an 88, and Macee Magill a 107.

“It was a great day,” Kuhn said. “I even give private lesson to players at Hickory and they had a tremendous day.”

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.