Pittsburgh Central Catholic claims PIAA Class AAA boys crown

   District Seven champion Pittsburgh Central Catholic, led by a pair of sophomores, took the PIAA Class AAA team title home from the Heritage Hills Golf Resort Wednesday.

   Sophomore Jimmy Meyers fired a 1-over-par 72 over the 6,700-yard, par-71 Heritage Hills layout and classmate Neal Shipley added a 74 to help Pittsburgh Central Catholic post a 297 total, nine shots clear of runnerup Nazareth Area, the District 11 champion which had a 306 total.

   Senior Matt DelRosso matched Shipley’s 74 and senior Jake Smithco added a 77 for Pittsburgh Central Catholic, which was able to toss junior Joe Pronio’s 83.

   Nazareth was led by senior Kevin Scherr, who captured the PIAA Class AAA boys title a day earlier, with a 75. District Three champion Central York finished a shot back of Nazareth Area in third at 307.

   District One champion Spring-Ford finished fourth at 310. The Rams were led by junior Ben Pochet, who swept to the District One and East Regional individual titles, with a 3-over 74. Sophomore Jonathan Lumley and senior Thomas Freed each carded a 78 and senior Chase Armor had an 80. The Rams were able to toss senior Connor Boham’s 88.

   District 10 champion Erie Cathedral Prep finished fifth at 313 and District Two champion Wallenpaupack finished sixth at 320.

   In Class AA, District Three champion Lancaster Catholic cruised to the title with a 309 total.

Will Riva led the way for Lancaster Catholic with a 3-over 74. Junior R.J. Van Tash added a 76, senior Lauren Bird had a 78 and junior Thomas Bird had an 81. Lancaster Catholic was able to toss the 82 posted by senior Sean McNamara. 

   District Seven champion Sewickley Academy was the runnerup at 319. District Two champion Scranton Prep placed third at 325.

   District One champion New Hope-Solebury finished fourth at 329. New Hope-Solebury was led by District One and East Regional girls individual champion Nina Kouchi, a junior who carded a 78. Junior Ben Wiseman added an 80, senior Nate Hiriak had an 81 and senior Clay Asplundh and junior Bobby Wannemacher each posted a 90, one of which New Hope-Solebury could toss.

   District 10 champion Saegertown was fifth at 335 and District Six champion Philipsburg-Osceola finished sixth at 348.

   Both girls team competitions saw District Seven runnersup turn the tables on the District Seven champion to claim state titles.

   In Class AAA, Shady Side Academy avenged its loss in the District Seven Tournament by defeating North Allegheny by eight shots.

   Shady Side, which finished with a 330 total, was led by Katherine James, who carded a 76 over a Heritage Hills layout that measures 6,223 yards and plays to a par of 72 for the girls. Casey Morrow added a 77, Alexandra Muracca had an 88 and Elizabeth Walsh had an 89. Shady Side was able to toss Catherine Stewart’s 101.

   North Allegheny was the runnerup at 338.

   Perennial District One power Mount St. Joseph finished third at 370. The Mount was led by senior Caitlin Mahon, who had an 87. Mount St. Joe’s also got an 89 from freshman Olivia Wirsching, a 95 from sophomore Brianna Mahon and a 99 from junior Maya Trujillo. The Mount was able to toss a 100 carded by senior Alex Mercader.

   District 10 champion McDowell finished third at 380, District Two champion Scranton Prep was fifth with a 382 and District One runnerup Downingtown West finished sixth at 400.

   The Whippets were led by junior Grace Hickey, who posted a 96. Junior Shae Cabaddu added a 98, sophomore Lily Byrne had a 100 and junior Shannon Halle had a 106. Downingtown West was able to toss the 107 turned in by junior Caitlin McGrinder.

   In Class AA, District Seven runnerup Central Valley claimed the title with a one-shot victory over District Seven champion Greensburg Central Catholic. Central Valley finished with a 348 total to Greensburg Central Catholic’s 349 total.

   Central Valley was led by senior Alexandra Bozich, who carded a 78. Sophomore Kiaria Porter added an 81, junior Jackie Smith had a 103 and Brianna Fleming had a 106. Central Valley was able to toss the 115 posted by Kristen Battles.

   Greensburg Central Catholic was led by senior Olivia Zambruno’s 80. Zambruno claimed the PIAA Class AA girls individual title a day earlier.

   District 10 champion Mercyhurst Prep finished third at 391.