Westmoreland County high school notebook: Addy Witcoski sets Ligonier Valley golf record

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, September 15, 2024 | 6:27 PM

Addy Witcoski went to the golf course Tuesday like she would for any match, unaware she was about to make history.

The Ligonier Valley junior was on her game, hitting fairways and greens on the way to a 3-over-par 38, a program record for the Rams.

“School records are hard to beat in any sport,” Ligonier Valley coach Tyler Kocsis said. “I am so happy she has etched her name into LV history.”

The performance broke the mark of 40 set by Amanda Woods in 2022 at Mt. Odin and Madison Pierce in 2019 at Ebensburg Country Club.

Witcoski had a birdie on the par-4 second hole and made five pars on the front nine at Donegal Highlands Golf Course in Donegal.

Ligonier Valley defeated Southmoreland, 188-211, to improve its record to 7-3 (6-2 in section).

Kocsis said he was not surprised to see Witcoski break the record.

“At our first match of the season, she fired a 43,” he said. “I knew it was just a matter of time. She puts the time and effort in every day. Even during the summer, during nonmandatory practice, she was there working on her game. It has been a pleasure coaching her the last three years. Can’t wait to see what her senior season has to offer next year.”

On the run

Latrobe’s girls team won the Kiski Invitational cross country meet Friday.

Emerson Skatell was the Wildcats’ top finisher with a time of 19 minutes, 26.1 seconds, while Carley Berk (20:26.9) came in seventh and Brynn Zangaro (20:41.9) was ninth.

Latrobe had 74 points, while Cranberry (81), Fox Chapel (82), Kiski Area (120) and Allderdice (125) rounded out the top five.

Love and basketball

A couple from the WPIAL basketball coaching community recently tied the knot.

Former Belle Vernon girls coach Kaitlyn Slagus married current Avonworth coach Nick Dizon.

Of course, basketball came into play at the reception. When the happy couple were introduced, Kaitlyn tossed a small basketball in the air, and Nick slammed it into a mini hoop for an alley-oop to open the celebration.

Offer for Gribble

Add Lehigh to the growing list of schools interested in Greensburg Central Catholic junior basketball player Erica Gribble. The Patriot League program offered a scholarship to the guard, giving her 18 NCAA Division I offers.

Gribble has scored over 1,000 points in two seasons.

High note

Penn-Trafford sophomore softball pitcher Allyson Paulone took the field last Sunday at PNC Park, not to play but rather to sing. Paulone was selected to sing “God Bless America” before 12,369 during the Pirates’ game against the Washington Nationals.

“My family and I enjoyed our time at the game, and the Buccos brought home a win,” Paulone posted on X/Twitter.

Fit for a King

Latrobe golf coach Scott Reaugh wasn’t aware Sept. 10 was Arnold Palmer’s birthday.

But he’s glad to know his team played well that day on Palmer’s former home course.

Latrobe beat Penn-Trafford, 192-216, at Latrobe Country Club on what would have been Palmer’s 95th birthday.

Palmer is a Latrobe graduate and a former two-time WPIAL champion.

The effort surely would have earned a thumbs-up from “The King.”

“We shot that score without my (No. 3) man,” Reaugh said. “Hopefully that means we are playing well right now and have a shot at a playoff run.”

Recruiting

Penn-Trafford basketball player Kamryn Pieper, a 6-foot forward, received a college offer to play at Point Park.

She also has an offer from Wheeling, another Division II program.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Avonworth, Belle Vernon, Greensburg C.C., Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant, Penn-Trafford