DeCola

BLAIRSVILLE — The day didn't start out well for Marissa DeCola, but she certainly enjoyed the ending.

The Butler junior overcame a nearly two-hour frost delay and a bogey on her first hole to finish second with a 1-over-par 73 at Tom's Run Golf Course at the PIAA West Region Golf Championships Monday.

Kendall Allen of Shady Side Academy won the girls tournament with a 71.

The top 10 advanced to the PIAA Girls Golf Championships next week in York.

"I had to stay focused," said DeCola about the long delay. "I had to try not to get sidetracked and keep it together mentally."

DeCola, though, struggled on the first hole, but recovered on No. 2.

"That's when I knew I was going to have a good day," DeCola said.

DeCola shot a 37 on the front nine, a 36 on the back nine and was consistent throughout the round in tough conditions.

"I definitely feel accomplished," DeCola said. "I've been working so hard, dealing with school and the band and other stuff."

The end of the day was particularly difficult because the wind and rain kicked up.

"I absolutely thought she would play really well today," said Butler girls golf coach Sarah Zediker. "I thought she would take the tournament, but if not, I was hoping for top three. She can save winning it for next week."

Zediker said she believes DeCola is a legitimate shot at winning the state title in the two-round PIAA championship event next Monday and Tuesday at Heritage Hills Golf Resort.

"I feel good about my game right now," DeCola said. "I'll just do what I normally do when I get ready for a big tournament."

DeCola is the only Butler County girl in the state tournament.

Seneca Valley senior Paige Wojdyla shot a 91 to place 16th. Union junior Larissa Roberts shot a 94 to finish 19th.

In the boys West Region Golf Championships, Grove City High senior Ryan Prokay finished tied for second with a 2-under 70.Eric Urda of Pittsburgh Central Catholic won the title with a 68."(Prokay) said he felt his game was as good today as it has been," said Grove City golf coach Pat Forese.Prokay had only two bogeys. One came about because of an unplayable lie and the other when his tee shot sailed into a green-side bunker on the par-3 No. 11."Everything was working for him today," Forese said.Other Butler County golfers will join Prokay in York next week.Slippery Rock senior Brian Giesler and sophomore Brett Rinker each shot a 1-over 73 to finish tied for eighth.It is the first time in school history the Rockets will send two golfers to the state tournament."There's a lot of schools who don't even get two through at the same time," said Slippery Rock golf coach Merle Whitmer. It's an honor."Seneca Valley senior Mike McNulty shot a 2-over 74 to place 12th and is among the top 21 golfers advanced.Christian Locher of Mars (78) and Logan Wetzel of A-C Valley (85) missed the cut.