BROOKVILLE — Another year, another District 9 champion for the Bradford Lady Owls golf team.
Erin Pecora shot a 101 to win the Class AAA individual championship Monday at Pinecrest Country Club, following in the legacy of Kate Colella, who won the D-9 crowns in 2012 and 2013.
“It was just the perfect ending for her,” said Bradford coach Judy Abbey of Pecora, a senior. “She hit the ball well and just had one bad hole.”
Pecora beat DuBois’ Kelly Nowak by nine strokes for the title, but the Lady Beavers got their revenge in the team portion of the event, edging the Lady Owls by nine strokes (481-490) to win the Class AAA team title.
“It was tough day, extremely windy and cold,” noted Abbey. “It was tough on all the girls and I don’t think anybody scored the way they wanted to today.”
Also for Bradford, Bri Wells shot a 126, while Makayla Belser carded a 129 and Sam Williams a 134.
“This was a great learning experience for them” Abbey said. “They had their good holes and their bad holes.”
For Pecora, a three-time league all-star, it was an appropriate ending.
“She’s been a steady player for four years,” noted Abbey. “It will be sad to see her go, but she’s passing the torch on.”
It was also a banner day for the Smethport girls in Class AA, as they finished second to Punxsutawney in the team scoring (452-456) with Lady Hubbers’ senior Laura Alfieri finishing third overall with a 106 via playoff over Clarion’s Claire Saylor and Punxsutawney’s Morgan Vanleer.
“What a four year’s she’s had,” said Smethport coach Kurt Weaver. “We’ve really enjoyed having her for four years.”
Also for Smethport, freshman Abbey Woodard shot a 119 to help to the second-place finish.
“The greens were quick, but it was a beautiful course,” noted Weaver. “The fairways were immaculate.”
Leading other area school’s were Kane’s Erin Paulson with a 111, Coudersport’s Stephanie Fry with a 117 and Cameron County Kendyl Guisto with a 132.
Individual and team results follow:
Individual
Class AAA
1. Erin Pecora (Bradford) 101; 2. Kelly Nowak (DuBois) 110; 3. Kiersten Pearce (DuBois) 124; 4. Makayla Belser (Bradford) 129
Class AA
1. Amber Hess (Keystone) 77; 2. Elaina Powell (Brookville) 91; 3. Laura Alfieri (Smethport) 106; 4. Claire Saylor (Clarion) 106; 5. Morgan Vanleer (Punxsutawney) 106; 6. Haley Whitman (Cranberry) 107; 7. Erin Paulson (Kane) 111; 8. Heather Thorp (Curwensville) 112; 9. Stephanie Fry (Coudersport) 117; 10. Morgan McFarland (Punxsutawney) 118; T-11. Carina Burns (Clarion) and Abbey Woodard (Smethport) 119; 13. Hannah Hoover (Curwensville) 123; T-14. Ellie Thompson (A-C Valley) and Mary-Kate Elenchin (Coudersport) 125; T-16. Susie Guisto (Cameron County) 128 and Katie Thompson (Ridgway) 128; 18. Alyssa Holden (Cranberry) 131; 19. Kendyl Guisto (Cameron County) 132; T-20. Lydia Thompson (A-C Valley) and Cassidy Shaffer (Brockway) 136; 22. Ashley Moore (Brockway) 139; 23. Alexis Stephenson (Clearfield) 144; 24. Summer Stephenson (Clearfield) 144; 25. Shaina Reitz (Ridgway) 167
Team Scoring
Class AAA
1. DuBois 481
2. Bradford 490
Class AA
1. Punxsutawney 452
2. Smethport 456
3. Clarion 462
4. Cameron County 503
5. A-C Valley 510
