Mighty Mustangs
Smith, Vecchiolla lead Laurel Highlands to win over Uniontown
The Laurel Highlands duo Kayden Smith and Sevi Vecchiolla have been recording some of the lowest rounds of the season among local high school golfers, and Thursday’s match against cross-town rival Uniontown was no different, as Smith and Vecchiolla shared medalist honors in the Mustangs’ 217-238 victory at Uniontown Country Club in Section 3-2A play.
Smith was coming off his best nine-hole finish in shooting a 3-under-par 33 on the front nine against Albert Gallatin on Tuesday in section play, but had a 40 against the Red Raiders. Smith sank birdie putts on the fourth and eighth holes.
Vecchiolla played steady throughout his nine holes to set Laurel Highlands up in good position for the victory.
Against the Colonials, Smith had birdies on the third and fourth holes, and an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole at Uniontown Country Club. Teammate Ryan Revak also eagled the fifth hole in Tuesday’s match.
The Mustangs dropped eight strokes as a team from their match against Albert Gallatin, but Mike Revak’s team still improved to 3-1 in section and overall play.
“We had some good scores here; we just have to eliminate the big numbers,” Revak said. “We put a lot of time in on the range. The kids have been coming and practicing on their short and long game.
“We have been focusing a lot on shots under 100 yards. We want them to control their trajectory with their punch shots so they don’t get it too high because there are a lot of trees on this course that you have to punch under, but we are getting better.”
Liam Glover and Jason Vansickle led Uniontown (0-4, 1-4) in scoring with each shooting a 43. Glover had a birdie putt on the fourth hole and Vansickle opened up with a birdie on the first hole. Teammate Jackson Collins, who carded a 47, also birdied the first hole.
“We are a relatively young group, but I feel like we keep improving and improving,” Uniontown coach Danae Uphold said. “The contact with the ball, their putting, their short game, it’s all improving, and one day, it’s going to all come together.”
Mason Cicci shot a 45 for the Laurel Highlands, and brothers Damon and Ryan Revak closed with 46s.
The dry season has made for a tough course, but Mike Revak was pleased with how his team responded under the conditions.
“We haven’t had rain and the ground’s hard, so the ball was bouncing pretty hard today,” Revak said.
Graci Rodeheaver (51) and Isaac Ellsworth (54) rounded out the scoring for the Red Raiders.
Uphold graduated from Uniontown six years ago after a solid golf career where she was a three-time state medalist and played at Youngstown State in college, but she is in her first season of coaching and getting used to going from player to coach.
“It is a lot different,” said Uphold in reference to going from player to coach. “Sometimes, I wish I could just hit it, but at least I can sit there and show them my thought process or what I would do in a certain situation.”
The Mustangs’ lone loss this season was to Belle Vernon. LH has first-half section matches remaining with McKeesport and Ringgold.