Sep 28, 2006 By The 2 min read

Waynesburg Central’s Rachel Rohanna and Laurel Highlands’ Maria Battaglia got off to a good start Wednesday in their quest for a WPIAL title, as the pair topped a Section 1 individual qualifier at Murraysville Golf Course. Rohanna, the defending WPIAL champion, fired a 6-under-par 69 to grab medallist honors among nine qualifiers.

After claiming the District 7 title last year, Rohanna went on to claim a PIAA gold medal as well when she tied with three other golfers after the 36-hole championship was shortened to 18 holes because of rain.

Battaglia shot a 3-under 72 Wednesday, and earned a spot alongside Rohanna in the WPIAL finals, which will be held at the Pittsburgh Field Club in Fox Chapel on Tuesday, Oct. 10.

“Maria played pretty well,” said first-year LH coach Mike Smith. “She was happy. She had her confidence level up. That’s exactly what she needs going into the WPIAL finals, and I believe she can win there too.”

Battaglia had an excellent stretch Wednesday where she registered five straight birdies, on holes 4-8. She added a birdie on No. 10 to offset three bogeys.

Last year, Battaglia wound up in a four-way tie for third place at the WPIAL championship.

Rounding out the top five Wednesday were Gateway’s Caryn Doege (80), Shaler’s Samantha Smyers (86) and Highlands’ Courtney Kordes (90).

In all, 30 golfers were attempting to qualify.