Shenango’s Brad Thornton Golden in Winning WPIAL Division II Golf Title

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | 11:11 AM

Shenango senior Brad Thornton claimed his first individual championship, firing a one-over par 73 to win the WPIAL Boys Division II Golf Championships at the New Castle Country Club on Monday afternoon. Thornton shot one under par on the front nine, but struggled slightly down the stretch, running into trouble on the 17th hole, with a four-putt.

Thornton had to wait a few minutes to claim the gold medal, as he teed off on the front nine in the morning, all of those groups were finished and had to wait as Matthew Moore of Winchester-Thurston, who teed off on the tenth hole, cruised early after the turn, but faded slightly to end up at 4 over 76 and a tie for sixth place. Thornton said he has played the course several times, he loves the course.

There was a three-way tie for second place, Jonathan Acosta of Neshannock, Garrett Damich of Bentworth and Matt Barto of Leechburg all tied at 2 over 74. Damich said he started slow with a 40 on the front nine, but finished with a 34 to get into the tie. Acosta said he just ground it out today, making pars and keeping pace with the leaders. Barto two-putted on 16 from 90 feet away to save par and keep in the chase for the championships.

Gunner Riley of Charleroi made some birdies on the back, he finished fifth at 3 over 75. The top twelve finishers move onto the Division I championships next Wednesday at Treesdale Golf Course in Gibsonia. Those championships can also be heard on the MSA Sports Network. The top 24 finishers there will qualify for the PIAA Western Regional on Tuesday, October 18th at Tom’s Run Golf Course in Blairsville.

Here are the top 12 qualifiers and all the scores from Monday’s play, par at the New Castle Country Club is 72:

1. Brad Thornton – Shenango 73

12. Logan Dukate – Waynesburg 79
(Dukate won a 4 way playoff on the third hole)

Other Scores:
Mike Marianello – Neshannock 79
Jared Vetica – Ellwood City 79
Nick Joseph – Neshannock 79
Keenan Hickton Sewickley Academy 80
Owen Miller – Burgettstown 81
Charlie Car beau – Sewickley Academy 81
Austin Grieger – Quaker Valley 81
Eric Franken – Greensburg CC 81
Michael Callas – Burgettstown 82
Alex Rush – Burgettstown 82
Corey Long – South Fayette 83
Nikko Giangiulli – Neshannock 83
Jason McCaslin – West Shamokin 84
Nick Peluso – Laurel 84
Ryan Queale – Greensburg CC 84
Kyle Kubovcik Bentworth 85
Zach Berkstresser – Jeff-Morgan 85
R.J. Howanec – Chartiers-Houston 85
Andrew Wargofchik – Greensburg CC 86
Adam Lockwood – Apollo-Ridge 86
Darren Carone – Shenango 86
Andrew Pier – New Brighton 87
Aaron Hawood – Waynesburg 87
Anthony Rocco – West Shamokin 87
Anthony Muscato – Sewickley Academy 87
Brandon Yuhouse – Southmoreland 87
Luc Bongiorni – Burgettstown 87
Taylor Dingle – Beth-Center 88
Jacob Potts – New Brighton 88
Wil Koshut – Quigley 88
Dan Vecchio – Serra Catholic 88
Max Walters – Neshannock 89
Evan Deklaven – Seton LaSalle 90
Alex Kaminsky – Serra Catholic 91
Derek Bozic – Beaver Falls 94
Tyler Miller – Burrell 95
Ben Bobick – Steel Valley 99
Justin Newman – Carmichaels 100
Nolan Shank – Western Beaver DQ
Josh Strawins – East Allegheny DQ
 

Tags: Bentworth, Burgettstown, Charleroi, Ellwood City, Leechburg, Waynesburg Central, Winchester Thurston