Lady Warriors’ Morgan wins PIAA golf title
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Mya Morgan admitted she was a bit anxious down the stretch in Tuesday’s final round, but the Elizabeth Forward junior calmed down and held on to win the PIAA Class AAA girls individual golf title.
Morgan shot 3-over 75 in the final round on Penn State University’s White course. She opened with a 4-under 68 to finish with a two-round total of 143.
Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Rhianna Gooneratne shot 74 in the second round and finished one stroke behind Morgan for the silver medal.
Morgan carded 1-over 37 on the front nine with three birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. She was even on the back nine through six holes with a bogey and birdie as she entered No. 16, a par-3.
“The nerves were starting to build. I was getting anxious,” explained Morgan, who is coached by Laurel Highlands graduate Justin Korona. “I was nearing the end. I was anxious to get it over with and done. It was bubbling up.
“The environment is very intense.”
Morgan parred the 16th hole, but had an anxiety-filled finish with two bogeys.
Morgan felt she played solid from tee to green.
“Everything was working. I was very consistent. My driver was putting me in scoring position. My putter was consistent,” said Morgan, who finished tied for seventh place last year.
The state gold medal is the first won by an Elizabeth Forward athlete.
“It feels great,” Morgan said of winning the state title. “I’ve been working hard to get to this point.
“I couldn’t be any prouder.”
Belle Vernon junior Jordan Mocello finished in a tie for 27th place in the Class AAA championship. He shot 2-over 74 in the second round for a two-round total of 2-over 146.
Elizabeth Forward sophomore Aaron Didjunas finished in a two-way tie for 16th place. He shot 3-over 75 in the second round for a two-round total of 5-over 149. Charleroi freshman Levi Large tied for 47th place with a two-round total of 16-over 160 after shooting 10-over 82 in the second round.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy junior Madison Koshko won the girls Class AA title with a two-day total of 4-under 140.
Wyoming Seminary’s Nick Werner shot 6-under 138 to win the boys Class AA gold medal. Fox Chapel’s Carson Kittsley was the Class AAA champion with a two-round total of 8-under 136.