SUMMIT TWP — The Butler High School girls golf team unites early every year.

The girls stayed united late.

The Golden Tornado competed in the WPIAL Team Finals Thursday at Cedarbrook Golf Course in Belle Vernon. They finished fourth in the team semifinal round and joined Shady Side Academy, North Allegheny and Peters Township in moving on.

The Tornado carded a 387 Thursday — 48 strokes behind WPIAL champion North Allegheny. Shady Side Academy finished second with a 330 while Peters Township shot 362.

Butler qualified for the team finals for the first time since 2011 — Marissa DeCola's senior year — and for only the second time in the program's 12-year history.

“We didn't expect to get there, but we played to get there,” senior and four-year varsity golfer Liz Rakers said. “We got to the semifinal round my sophomore year. That's the closest we've come.”

Raker and Caroline Piccola are the only seniors on the squad. Hannah Folk, a junior, led Butler with a 43 average this season. Sophomore Maggie Feczko averaged 45, junior Maddy Temple 49 and Rakers 50.

Emily Altman, a junior, averaged 51 while Piccola was at 55, juniors Morgan Gage and Grace Gordon at 58.

“This team seemed to bond early,” said Butler coach Sarah Zediker, who formed the program and has been its only coach. “They support each other and play for each other.

“They do a lot of things together outside of golf. They've become a close-knit group.”

Folk said the team “goes to the pool together and to the football games on Friday night.

“Caroline is in the band and Maggie's a Sequinette ... We show up and cheer for them,” she said.

“We go out to eat, go to each other's houses. We're always hanging out together,” Feczko said.

The Tornado finished 11-3 overall this season, 8-2 in section matches. Butler tied Pine-Richland for the section crown, its second section title ever.

“Everyone on the team is capable of playing well,” Feczko said. “If someone is having a bad day, someone else is always there to back them up.”

Butler's girls began prepping for their season in June. The program hosts a fundraising golf tournament each July at Hiland, its home course.

This was the fifth year for the tournament, which filled up with 144 golfers. All of the team members play in the event.

“Each of my girls brings a couple of baskets as part of the event and three tee sponsorships,” Zediker said. “Every dime goes back into the program. We raised $6,000 this year.

“It's been an effective fundraiser for us and it brings the team together.”

Piccola is grateful for Coach Zediker and credits her for much of the success.

“We owe a lot of thanks to our coach,” she said. “The time and effort she puts into the team ... We appreciate everything she does.”

Most of Butler's golfers have been involved with the sport for years. Folk began playing at age 12 because everyone in her family plays.

Her older brother, Zach Folk, is a sophomore on the St. Vincent College golf team.

“I'm a good irons player,” she said. “Everyone on the team contributes in a different way. Morgan had been averaging in the 60's and she shoots a 48 to help us win a big match, as an example.

“Our two seniors are great leaders. They pick us up when we're down.”

Rakers admitted that her and Piccola “have been around the longest and we know some of the others look up to us.

“We've tried to be good role models for the younger players,” Rakers said.

Piccola began playing golf when she was 9.

“Once I started, almost right away, I knew I wanted to play in high school,” she said. “I couldn't wait to be part of the team.

“It's all been worth it.”