Garrett Browning never won a WPIAL title in his four-year career as a West Allegheny golfer. Never won a Western region title, either.
"But I'll take this," Browning said.
"This" is a PIAA championship.
Browning won his second PIAA title Tuesday at Heritage Hills Golf Resort in York. Browning, a senior, shot a 4-over 75 on the second day of the tournament to finish at 146. He won his other championship as a sophomore.
The WPIAL swept the top four places. Browning edged Peters Township's Tommy Nettles (75) and Indiana's Colton Wiggins (74) who tied for second at 147. Bentworth's Garrett Damich (74) was fourth at 149.
"Yeah, I'd say this is better [than winning the WPIAL]," Browning said, with a laugh. "I'd have to say this one definitely feels a lot better than the first one. The first one, I was just kind of like, 'Wow, I won.' This one, I put a lot more effort into it, practicing every day, and this one just feels really good."
Browning and Nettles were neck and neck through much of a second round that was played in extremely windy conditions. They were tied after nine holes, and Browning had a one-shot lead heading into the par-3 15th. Browning had a birdie on the hole while Nettles had a bogey. Browning had a three-shot lead heading into the 16th and bogeyed the final three holes, but Nettles could not rally.
"I hit the ball pretty consistently," Browning said. "I hit 29 of 36 greens in two days, and I hit a lot of fairways."
In the girls championship, Erica Herr of Council Rock North won the title with a two-day total of 150.
The top WPIAL finishers were Marissa DeCola of Butler and Katerina Luttner of Fox Chapel, who tied for fourth at 158.
Seton-LaSalle's Joey Walz was seventh at 163.
The Shady Side Academy girls romped to the girls team championship with a score of 685.
Radnor was second at 730.
For Shady Side Academy, Kendall Allen shot 166 and Lauren Waller shot 167.
In the boys team championship, Manheim Township won with a total score of 622. Upper St. Clair was second at 625. Steve Thomas led Upper St. Clair with a 152.
• Niki Jordan and Ashley Mandich scored second-half goals to lead Penn-Trafford (14-1) to a 2-0 victory against top-seeded Woodland Hills (13-1) in a WPIAL Class AAA semifinal at the Wolvarena.
• The Quaker Valley football team still has a chance at a WPIAL playoff berth. A story in editions Tuesday incorrectly said Quaker Valley is out of playoff contention. If Quaker Valley beats South Fayette, Seton-LaSalle beats Keystone Oaks, Washington beats Burgettstown and Steel Valley beats South Allegheny, then Quaker Valley qualifies.