Central Catholic golfer picks Maryland
Eric Urda began his high school golf career thinking it was a means to an end.
"I wanted to use golf to help get me into a small school," said Urda, a Central Catholic senior, "but it just happened to work out different."
Urda has signed to play at a school that plays in one of college golf's strongest conferences: Maryland, of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Urda's prospects broadened after some eye-opening performances on the amateur circuit last summer and a strong senior season. Major programs, such as Maryland, Purdue and Bucknell showed interest.
"To be honest, I never really anticipated something like that," said Urda, a Sewickley resident. "I'm absolutely, extremely excited. I'm just looking forward to working hard down there."
Urda won't be the only Western Pennsylvanian on Maryland's roster. Former Chartiers-Houston star John Popeck is a junior with the Terrapins, as is Hollidaysburg native Sean Brannan. And though the friendly faces helped sway Urda's decision, the chance to play in some warmer, ACC climates didn't hurt, either.
"I definitely like the southern area," he said. "Here, it's April, and it's still not very nice out, so that had something to with it."
It was something of a roller-coaster season last fall for Urda. He finished ninth in the WPIAL Division I tournament but rebounded to win the PIAA West Regional with a 4-under-par 68. At the state championships, however, he was 29th.
"The high school year, it was definitely up and down," said Urda, who will compete in the amateur circuit again this summer before joining Maryland in the fall. "The state tournament was a bit of a disappointment, but that's golf. Tiger Woods is the best golfer out there, but he doesn't win every time."
Signings/commitments
• Sewickley Academy gymnast Elena Corcoran has signed with George Washington. In her fourth year of competing at Junior Olympic Level 10 — one below the elite level — Corcoran took second on the beam and fourth in the vault at the state championships last month.
• Montour girls volleyball standout Alena Esposito made the decision to stay local, signing with Robert Morris, a Division I program. Esposito was the captain for the Spartans' Section 3-AA championship squad and helped them to the WPIAL quarterfinals.
• After playing a key role in the Ambridge girls basketball team's surprise run to the WPIAL Class AAA championship game, 5-foot-10 guard Sam Santiago has signed with California (Pa.). A three-year starter and first team Section 2-AAA selection, Santiago averaged 12 points per game this past season.
• Coming off of an all-section season, Hempfield girls basketball player Megan Delisle has committed to Washington and Jefferson. A 5-4 guard, Delisle averaged eight points per game and helped Hempfield to a third-place finish in Section 1-AAAA and a playoff appearance.
The Hall calls
The fifth annual WPIAL Hall of Fame class will be revealed at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the History Center's Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
Fifteen inductees will be announced. They will include athletes, coaches, officials, teams and contributors, in addition to the WPIAL Courage Award winner.
