Christine Shimel leads PIAA golf

Kennett senior Christine Shimel shot a career-low 69 yesterday at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York to take the lead after the first day of the PIAA girls' golf championship.

"It was pretty spectacular," said Shimel, whose previous best was a 70 in a non-scholastic tourney a few years ago. Yesterday's start was delayed two hours because of heavy frost on the course.

Shimel's 3-under-par round gave her a 2-stroke lead over Rachel Rohanna of Waynesburg going into today's final 18 holes.

Aurora Kan of Chichester and Nadia Luttner of Fox Chapel were tied for third at 73. Jackie Calamaro of Radnor was tied for eighth place at 76, and West Chester East's Gabriella DiMarco was in 11th place with a 78.

In the boys' competition, Council Rock North's Brandon Dalinka and Radnor's Mark Endres were the top area scorers with 73s, 4 strokes behind first-round leader Matt Vogt of Seneca Valley.

Conestoga's Greg Verde and Holy Ghost Prep's Joe Gunerman were among five players tied at 74.

Shimel, starting on the 10th tee, hit 17 greens in regulation, finishing with a pair of birdies and an eagle on the par-5 11th hole.

"I hit a driver, a five-iron and then rolled in a 35-foot putt," Shimel said. "Fortunately, I putted very well today.

"I went into today's round with the idea that this was my last high school match and I was going to have fun. I hope to have the same attitude for tomorrow's final round."