GOLF
3 Trojans make cut: The District Golf Championships’ first day took place at Honey Run G.C. on Friday and five area golfers, including three from Chambersburg, made the first-day cut.

Emily Rensch

In the girls competition, the Trojans’ Emily Rensch shot an 80, 8 over par, on the par 72 course. She sits in a tie for eighth place in the tournament. During her round, Rensch birdied No. 15 and had only one double bogey.

Also in girls, Chambersburg’s Emma Tolbert moved on with a 91. She had nines of 45-46. Teammate Alaina Morris shot 100 and was knocked out.

Waynesboro’s Abby Byers carded an 89 and sits in 14th place. The top nine girls advance to the state tournament.

Trojan coach Mark Yost said, “Emily is right there, even though she made a few miscues on the final few holes. All she needs is a solid round tomorrow. Emma didn’t play her best, so she will have to have a really good round tomorrow to advance.”

On the boys side, Waynesboro’s Tyler Fortney and Chambersburg’s Jeremy Otto will both play on Saturday.

Otto shot a 4-over 76, which included a birdie on No. 6, and had nines of 37-39. Fortney birdied four holes (Nos. 1, 5, 14 and 15) to finish with a 74 and a tie for 17th. The top 18 will qualify for the PIAA event.

“Jeremy had a nice round, but made a few mistakes on the way in. He has a chance tomorrow, but he’ll have to play really well.”

GIRLS TENNIS
Vessah pulls upset: Chambersburg’s Sarah Vessah knocked off Central Dauphin’s Katie Berra in the first backdraw round Friday at the Mid Penn Conference girls tennis tournament. The event was held at CD East.

Sarah Vessah

Vessah won her first round match at No. 1 singles against a player from Red Land. In the next round, she was defeated by the No. 2 seed from Hershey, 6-3, 6-2.

The Trojan senior had matched up with CD’s Berra this past Wednesday and was defeated 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

But in the first round of the backdraw Friday, Vessah pulled off a 6-3, 6-3 win.

Trojan coach Niko Mucci said, “Sarah had a great performance against the girl from Hershey, and then she had her rematch with Berra. She was all about business today. She was nervous because it could have been her last high school match.

“But she confidently took the first set 6-3, then fell behind 3-1. But she steadied herself and won the next five games. I’m so proud of her.”

On Monday, Vessah will face Mechanicsburg’s No. 2 player for fifth place and the winner will earn a spot in the District 3 Tournament.

Also on Friday for Chambersburg, No. 2 singles Charlie Kalathas won 6-1, 6-0 over a player from Mechanicsburg, then fell 6-0, 6-2 to Lower Dauphin, and No. 3 singles Marlee Christopher was defeated 6-1, 6-0 by Central Dauphin.

At No. 1 doubles, Ashlee Barrett and Reese Miller were eliminated in the first round by Lower Dauphin, 6-2, 6-1. The No. 2 doubles team, Shelby Newman and Zoe Dereef, took a 6-0, 6-3 win over Harrisburg, but lost 6-1, 6-3 to Cumberland Valley.

The top doubles team of Vessah and Kalathas were beaten 6-1, 6-3 by Hershey.