Sewickley Herald notebook: Trip to states caps season for Sewickley Academy golfers

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Sewickley Academy’s Severin Harmon qualified for the PIAA Class 2A boys golf tournament for the fourth year in a row.

Harmon, a senior and fourth-year varsity starter for the Panthers, traveled to Penn State to compete in the PIAA tournament that began Oct. 21.

“I hope to continue improving on my past results at the state tournament,” Harmon said. “I feel like I’m playing better this season than ever before, but I’m trying not to apply unneeded pressure. A top 10 (finish) would be nice, but I’m more focused on just finishing the season playing well.”

Harmon shot a 6-over par 150 at the two-day WPIAL tournament, carding a round of 78 at Youghiogheny Country Club and an even-par 72 at Sewickley Heights Golf Club.

He finished with the low score on his home course at Sewickley Heights. It included three birdies and 12 pars. Harmon finished strong with seven pars and a birdie on the back nine.

He believed he played well enough to win but knows that’s not always enough.

“I am very happy with how I played at Sewickley Heights,” Harmon said. “I just wish I hadn’t shot myself in the foot after the first round. I think I played well enough to win, but since I had to start from so far back to begin the day, it was an uphill battle.”

The top 18 golfers at the WPIAL Class 2A finals qualified for the PIAA individual championship.

McGuffey senior Logan Crowe won the WPIAL title in 2A with a 73-75-148 score. Harmon tied for second with Elizabeth Forward sophomore Aaron Didjunas (77-73-15).

Sewickley senior Karan Kad recovered from an early season injury to also qualify for the state tournament with a 14-over score.

The Panthers, led by first-year coach Chuck Scally, placed third in Section 9-2A this year with a 7-3 record.

“This season has been a great experience,” Harmon said. “While the team didn’t make the playoffs, I was really happy with the way we bonded and the great job that coach Scally has done in his first year.”

Quaker Valley and North Catholic tied for first place in the section with 8-2 records and were followed by SA, Eden Christian Academy (5-5), Hopewell (2-8) and Aquinas Academy (0-10).

Shout out to the seniors

Makenzie Dice, a junior forward on the Sewickley Academy girls soccer team, paid a tribute to the four seniors on this year’s squad.

“This is my second year as a SAGS member,” Dice said, “and I would like to congratulate the seniors on their leadership and dedication to the team.

“Thank you, Katherine (Varghese), Quincy (Sirko), Jade (Rychel) and Marie (Bigi) for all the success you brought to SAGS. You will all be greatly missed.”

‘Eyes forward’

Quaker Valley’s girls tennis team advanced to the PIAA Class 2A tournament as the WPIAL runner-up. The Quakers faced District 9 champion Elk County Catholic in the first round Oct. 22 at DuBois Area High School.

“As a team, we now have ‘eyes forward’ and are looking forward to seeing how deep we can go in the PIAA championships,” QV coach Christi Hays said. “First on the docket is a trip to DuBois to take on Elk County Catholic.”

The Quakers defeated their first-round opponent 5-0 to set up a quarterfinal-round matchup with District 3 winner Berks Catholic at Hershey Racquet Club.

Scouting report

Quaker Valley’s top singles player, senior Kirsten Close, said her toughest opponent this season has been Hampton’s Grace Stitt.

“She’s a tough opponent and good player,” Close said.

Tags: Quaker Valley, Sewickley Academy