Commentary
Rohanna stands out among area golfers The weather outside is, eh, crappy. Those hot, muggy summer days would be so welcome now (especially for my ailing lower back).
The PGA Tour has concluded for the year except for the odd exhibition give ’em a lot of money events so I might as well wrap up the local high school golf season before the holidays – and the winter sports schedule – roll upon us.
There were many noteworthy individual and team performances this past season, but one performer stood head-and-shoulders above the crowd.
Waynesburg Central junior Robert Rohanna had a phenomenal year, reaching his peak in the PIAA Championships where he lost a sudden-death playoff for the gold medal on the third playoff hole to Radnor’s Adam Cohan.
Rohanna led after the first round with a 3-under-par 68, but slipped a bit in the final round with a 74. Cohan opened with a 70 before scoring a 72 on the second day to also finish with an even-par 142.
Rohanna failed to repeat his WPIAL bronze medal performance of 2001, finishing in a four-way tie for fourth place. He had a round of 29 on the Raiders’ home course at Rohanna’s Golf Course (hmm …) and also carded a round of 6-under during the season.
Raider teammate Kellen Haines was a little more erratic this year, but the senior was an instrumental cog in helping Waynesburg earn a share of the Division II, Section 8 crown. Haines advanced to the WPIAL southern regional qualifier, although he missed the cut along with several other local golfers at Cedarbrook Golf Course.
Uniontown ran the table in Division I, Section 2, and juniors Zach Rockwell and Greg Franko blazed the trail for the Red Raiders.
Rockwell advanced to the WPIAL finals at Treesdale Golf and Country Club, missing the cut for the PIAA tournament by three strokes with an 80.
Franko was unable to escape the regional qualifier at Cedarbrook, but that in no casts a pall on just how good he played for coach Aaron Scott in 2002. He finished seventh in the WPIAL last year and capped his season by placing 13th in the state.
Brandon Katzeff began the season by successfully defending his county title, and was consistently the go-to guy in Laurel Highlands’ run to another team playoff berth from Division I, Section 2. The senior shot a 71 in the regional and was many times the Mustangs’ medallist in section play.
Rounding out the starting six is Laurel Highlands senior Brian John. John had a tough day in the regional tournament, as did many other local golfers, but gave Mustangs coach Don Crawford a steady performance through the year.
Most every golf coach has a pool of reserves ready to make the move into the starting lineup, giving the group names like “The Swamp, The Pit, etc.” The local area is blessed with a lot of talent, many of whom could bump their way into the starting lineup of six.
California did something no other team in Division II, Section 8 has been able to do over the past five seasons – defeat Waynesburg Central. The Trojans received strong performances from Tony Lent, Mike Bayer and Bryan Dunn on their way to the WPIAL team playoffs.
Brownsville failed to meet preseason expectations in Division II, Section 8, but a couple of Falcons met the individual challenge. Senior Josh Seelye and sophomore Ryan Bashour are able bodies to add depth to the lineup.
Geibel Catholic coach Gregg Blair directed the Gators to a third place finish behind Waynesburg and California, and did so without a senior in the lineup. James McGrath and Philip Lucostic, both freshmen, often played beyond their youth and should be even stronger next season.
Jefferson-Morgan lost Mike Vukmanic Jr. to graduation, but Rockets coach John Curtis has an up-and-coming star in junior Chris Griedel.
Albert Gallatin got out of the gate strong only to tail off as the season progressed. Packed full of seniors, Josh Oros was the lone Colonial to advance out of the Division I, Section 2 qualifier.
Belle Vernon was in a similar situation as Albert Gallatin. Senior Bret Herspold was a steady performer for Jim Russell.
Uniontown will be the envy of all local golfers next year because the senior class will include Rockwell, Franko and Jarred Bartok. Bartok improved throughout the year and will be counted on heavily in 2003.
Laurel Highlands was senior-laden and among the upperclassmen leaving will be Jared Detweiler.
Four teams advanced to the team semifinals with Waynesburg Central continuing on to the Division II championship and a fourth place finish. Crawford rallied the troops for a strong second half to finish second to Uniontown. California’s Bill Fabri deserves mention for taking the Trojan program to the next level, defeating Waynesburg at home for a share of the Division II, Section 8 title.
With able-bodied assistants, the nod for the coach will be shared between Scott and Garber. Both coaches have assembled a seamless transition of golfers over the years and are well deserving of the honor.
Let’s not forget the ladies.
Connellsville’s Jordan Craig also made a run in state tournament, bringing home a medal after just qualifying at the WPIAL Championships. The junior had an outstanding junior tournament season and is poised for big results next year.
Also warranting merit are Laurel Highlands’ Sara Bonchosky and Southmoreland’s Emily Morrison, both finalists in the WPIAL. Special mention goes out to Kim Pfeifer, the Southmoreland boys AND girls coach. Pfeifer directed the Lady Scots to the WPIAL Team Championship.
Now the attention turns to winter sports. Go out and watch these young folks. The price is right and the games are held in warm, cozy, dry gymnasiums and steamy natatoriums.
Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.
Jim Downey is a Herald-Standard sports reporter and columnist.