PT’s Turowski leads at WPIAL golf championship

After the first round of the WPIAL Class 3A boys golf championship, Penn-Trafford’s Nick Turowski holds the top spot. Last Monday, Turowski fired an even-par 72 at the Latrobe Country Club, one stroke better than Upper St. Clair’s Connor McKenzie. The final round will occur today at Valley Brook Country Club in McMurray, with Turowski, McKenzie, and Fox Chapel Area’s Davis Kittsley in the final group to tee off. Turowski, a senior, previously captured WPIAL gold in 2021. Other Westmoreland County golfers who made the cut for the final round include Greater Latrobe’s Jack Sacriponte (7 over) and Parker Berk (9 over), Hempfield Area’s Caden Biondi (9 over), Norwin’s Alex Graham (9 over), and Dylan Mauser (10 over) of Franklin Regional. In the boys Class 2A competition, Belle Vernon Area’s Jordan Mocello is the best positioned among county golfers after the first round, as he carded a one-over 73, four strokes behind leader Ethan Dai of Quaker Valley. Other Westmoreland golfers who made the cut following the round at Willowbrook Country Club in Apollo consist of Rogan Maloney, Seth Tomalski, and John Bellisimo of Belle Vernon Area, Ryan Karfelt of Mount Pleasant Area, Ligonier Valley’s Tyler Jones, Braden Riley and Mike Mullaney of Greensburg Central Catholic, and Burrell’s Tucker Bitar. The final round today will take place at Butler Country Club.

Derry Area AD Miller steps down

Brett Miller, the longtime athletic director at Derry Area, tendered his resignation last week, effective Oct. 27. Miller, who has served in the position with the Trojans for 10 years, was hired by Seton Hill University with the institutional advancement staff. Miller joined Derry Area after serving as AD at Ligonier Valley for four years. Miller, who also was the transportation director for Derry Area, will begin at Seton Hill on Nov. 1, and will work with donors and alumni.

Vikings football extends winning streak

Mount Pleasant Area continued its impressive run of success last week, as the Vikings captured their fifth win in a row. Dante Giallonardo rushed for 153 yards and scored three total touchdowns in leading Mount Pleasant Area to a 38-7 win against Greensburg Salem at Offutt Field. Vikings QB Cole Chatfield rushed for a TD, and he added another via the air to Giallonardo. The Vikings improved to 1-0 in the Class 3A Interstate Conference ledger, while the Golden Lions dipped to 0-1. Brady Smith secured the lone TD for GS, while QB Brody Chismar threw for 203 yards. After dropping the season opener at Greensburg Central Catholic, the Vikes have also defeated Yough, McGuffey, Valley, and Freeport Area.

Burrell boys soccer continues surge

Burrell boys soccer remained red hot last week, as the Buccaneers registered a pair of victories, running their winning streak to eight games. Burrell claimed a 2-0 home win against Springdale on Tuesday in a battle for first place, and then overwhelmed St. Joseph 8-0 a couple of days later. In the crucial win against the Dynamos, Jayson Ireland and Calio Zanella each found the back of the net, while goalkeeper Ryan Croushore earned the clean sheet. Against the host Spartans on Thursday, Ireland netted a hat trick, Cam Wagner scored twice, and Will Doutt, Haydn Herbulock, and Riley Anthony also tallied. As a result, Burrell is alone atop the standings in Class 1A Section 3 at 7-1-0.

Warriors, Wildcats, Scotties pace volleyball standings

More than a month into the WPIAL girls volleyball campaign, a trio of Westmoreland County teams currently reside in first place in their respective sections, as Penn-Trafford, Greater Latrobe, and Southmoreland all hold the top spots. In Class 4A, the Warriors are 3-0 in Section 3, including a win against Norwin last week. The Wildcats pace the way in Class 3A Section 5, as they boast a mark of 6-1. Last week, GL claimed wins against Indiana Area and Highlands. The Scotties are a perfect 10-0 in Class 2A Section 3. Southmoreland’s victories last week came at the expense of Brownsville Area and Beth-Center.

Koller has historic performance for Bearcats WSOC

In her freshman season, Emma Koller has already put her name in the record book for Saint Vincent College women’s soccer. Koller scored four goals in a tie last Wednesday against Waynesburg University. Her output in that contest is the most for a Bearcats player since 2000, when SVC all-time scoring leader Julie Gongaware netted four against Pitt-Greensburg. Despite Koller’s effort, a goal in the final two minutes for the host Yellowjackets yielded the draw. Three days later, Koller scored two more markers in a 3-0 triumph at home against Geneva College. In 10 matches this season, she’s scored eight goals, helping Saint Vincent achieve a record of 6-3-1 overall.