Shaler roundup: Golfer Grzegorczyk limps into PIAA Western Regional

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 16, 2017 | 12:06 AM

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Even with a fractured ankle constantly screaming at him, Shaler senior golfer Tanner Grzegorczyk feels the need to march on.

Despite suffering a soccer injury three days before the WPIAL Class AAA boys golf championships Oct. 3 at Nemacolin Country Club, Grzegorczyk played. More amazingly, he was in the lead after the front nine.

“I went out and practiced a little bit,” said Grzegorczyk. “I wasn't sure how long I was able to walk. It ended up working out fine, obviously.”

Grzegorczyk faded on the back nine, finishing with a 5-over-par 75 and placing eighth to earn a bid to the PIAA Western Regionals.

On Monday, Grzegorczyk played at Tom's Run Golf Course in Blairsville to try and earn his second consecutive bid to the PIAA tournament. Results from regionals were too late for this edition.

During his WPIAL round, Grzegorczyk's ankle held him to a slower pace. He thought it good for him.

“I couldn't turn as fast, since I had to try to keep my ankle as stable as possible,” Grzegorczyk said. “I used more of a cut swing. If I didn't do a cut swing, the ball would hook as far left as I've ever seen it.”

For Grzegorczyk it was a good experience.

He's hoping to limp his way to the state tournament, which will be held Oct. 23-24 at Heritage Hills Golf Resort and Conference Center in York.

“I know after the front nine, I was in the lead,” Grzegorczyk said. “Then, the medicine started to wear off a little, and my ankle started to hurt so it slowed me down a little bit.”

Tennis

Maura Rost and Lydia Valentine suffered narrow losses at the Section 3-AAA Tournament.

Rost lost 10-8 to North Hills' Hanna Kunsak, and Valentine lost 10-8 to the Indians' Lexi Mandell.

Volleyball

Shaler entered the final week of the season in position to qualify for the playoffs. The Titans were tied with Butler for fourth place in Section 1-4A with a 3-6 mark.

Shaler split with the Golden Tornado in the regular season, winning 3-1 on Sept. 14 and losing 3-2 on Oct. 5.

The Titans closed their section schedule Tuesday against Pine-Richland (6-3). The top four teams from each section qualify for the playoffs. In the event of a tie, both teams will enter. Butler's last game was against Seneca Valley (5-4). Results from the two matches were unavailable.

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

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