Powell and Zapletalova are strong contenders for the girls’ titles

Oct. 17—STATE COLLEGE — Anna Zapletalova and Gwen Powell are in contention after the first round of the PIAA Golf Championships at Penn State University.

Wyoming Seminary’s Zapletalova is one shot off the lead in Class 2A after shooting a 1-over 73 on Monday on the White Course.

Meanwhile, Powell, a North Pocono senior and Penn State commit, is tied for third in Class 3A seven strokes back after shooting 2-over-par 74 on the Blue Course.

“I think it’s great,” said Zapletalova, who came to the United States in August from the Czech Republic. “I’m really excited about (Tuesday’s) round to see what’s going to happen.”

The junior is tied for second with North East’s Anna Swan. Sasha Petrochko from Hickory leads with an even-par 72.

Rhianna Gooneratne from Plymouth-Whitemarsh leads Class 3A at 5-under 67, thanks to opening the back nine with five consecutive birdies.

Lihini Ranaweera of Seneca Valley is second after shooting an even-par 72, followed by Powell and Downingtown East’s Mia Pace, who also shot 2-over 74.

“I’m glad I’m up there in the mix with the top few players,” Powell said. “I’m excited to play (Tuesday) and see what happens.”

Early on, Powell was the Class 3A leader thanks to a birdie on the par-3 No. 4 and an eagle on the par-5 No. 5.

“I hit a nice drive down the middle, about 146, a little downhill, downwind,” Powell said. “It was a little cold today, so I kind of clubbed up a bit. I hit a 7-iron a little long, maybe (within) 20 feet, then made a nice putt down the hill for eagle.”

However, she didn’t have a birdie the rest of the way. Powell had bogeys on the par-4 No. 7, par-3 Nos. 14 and 17 and the par-5 No. 18 to wind up in a tie for third.

“The last hole I slipped up a little bit on the chip, my approach shot in, and couldn’t make the putt,” Powell said. “Overall I hit it well. Some of the little chips here and there I struggled on and the birdies didn’t go in. Yeah, that back nine was disappointing. But there’s tomorrow and I’m just going to try my best again.”

Even though Gooneratne has built a daunting lead, Powell knows anything can happen in the second round. She is just focusing on her game.

“I definitely have to work on my chipping,” Powell said. “I’m striking the ball well. Just that distance-control with the wedges and maybe some putts — the 10-footers or longer, just try to get them down a little more.”

Tunkhannock junior Hallie Brown is tied for 16th with three other players at 79. Brown had one birdie during her round on the par-4 No. 16.

North Pocono sophomore Lyla Jones is tied for 33rd after shooting 90.

Class 2A

Zapletalova said her back was hurting her when she woke up Monday morning, but it started to feel better midway through her round.

“I didn’t let it affect my game, so I was good,” Zapletalova said.

She sandwiched bogeys on the par-3 Nos. 5 and 7 around a birdie on the par-5 No. 6 to complete the front nine at 1-over 37. On the back nine, she had birdies on the par-4 Nos. 11 and 15, but followed them up with bogeys on the par-3 Nos. 12 and 16.

“On number-15, I hit a normal drive,” Zapletalova said. “It was about 100 meters in, but the wind was so strong and against the wind. So I had to club up and I hit a punch shot and it was a nice baby fade really close to the hole. I had a tap-in birdie, so that was really nice.”

If she is to contend for the title in Tuesday’s second round, Zapletalova feels she has to work on the speed of her putting.

“I think I left them a little too short for my taste today,” Zapletalova said. “(Tuesday), I need to give them a chance to actually go in more and make more birdies.

“I don’t usually get nervous. I just tell myself that it’s going to be fine and I’m all good.”

Mountain View senior Lillian Sedlak is tied for 18th after shooting an 11-over 83. She ended on a high note with a birdie on the par-5 No. 18 and hopes that will give her some momentum heading into the second round.

“From the practice round (Sunday) I improved leaps and bounds from what I was hitting,” Sedlak said. “My drives were a little bit better, I straightened them out. On 18, I hit a very good drive to birdie that hole. But I think I was in every single bunker on the golf course today. That’s one of the things I struggle with. But other than that, I played a decent round. Hopefully (Tuesday), after seeing the course a couple times, I can come out and shoot a lower number.”

Holy Redeemer sophomore Arden Brunn is tied for 20th with a 12-over 84. Her round was highlighted by consecutive birdies on the par-4 No. 4 and par-3 No. 5.

Contact the writer:

swalsh@scrantontimes.com;

570-348-9100 ext. 5109;

@swalshTT on X

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