The talent level of area high school golfers continues to soar. This upcoming season will be no different.
Ayer Shirley’s Reid Ohanesian and Chelmsford’s Jacob Carlson, who shared the Sun’s Co-Player of the Year award last fall, return to the links, as well as five other returning Sun All-Stars: Robert Flynn (Groton-Dunstable), Matthew Casey (Lowell), Max Carpenter (Shawsheen Tech) and Peter Li and Maddie Smith (Westford Academy).
Ayer-Shirley is the reigning Division 3 state champions, Chelmsford is coming off a terrific season and will now battle out of the MVC Division 1 conference with defending league champ Central Catholic, while Groton-Dunstable, North Middlesex, Shawsheen Tech (20 straight league titles) and Westford Academy are also coming off successful seasons.
Ayer Shirley
League: Mid-Wach D
Last season: 15-3, Division 3 state champions
Captain: Reid Ohanesian, sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Jason Turner, jr.; Troy Leighton, sr.; Aadi Patel, jr.
Promising newcomers: Tyler Trask, sr.; Josh Bly, jr.; Dylan Gibbons, jr.; Sean Partridge, jr.
Coach Peter Gubellini (12th season): “Expectations are always high at the start of a new season; however, we are playing great teams with great players. The actual expectation is to take the season one match at a time and see where we end up.”
Ayer Shirley senior standout Reid Ohanesian. (Courtesy photo)
Billerica
League: MVC Division 1
Last season: 9-8-1
Captains: Jake Cataldo, jr.; Colin Kennedy, jr.; Justin Pappalardo, jr.; Jason Giordano, jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Robby Marrigan, jr.; Guytano Lombardo, jr.; Zac Normant, jr.; Logan Sheahan, jr.; Caleb Silverstein, jr.; Cam Smith, jr.; Logan Murphy, so.; Ryan Quin, so.; Andrew Quin, so.; Cameron Smith, so.
Promising newcomers: Joe Gallagher, so.; Liam O’Boyle, so.; Michael Pappalardo, fr.; Liam Anderson, so.; Jack Egan, 8th; Ben Shannon, 8th.
Coach Joel Jenkins (21st season): “We have no seniors on the roster, but we are no longer a young team. Seventeen returners from last year’s roster should provide depth and competition. Expectations are that we will improve all season long and compete with the big boys in the MVC.”
Excited to lead the Billerica High golf team this fall are captains, from left, Jason Giordano, Jake Cataldo, Justin Pappalardo and Colin Kennedy. (Courtesy photo)
Chelmsford
League: MVC Division 1
Last season: 12-2, MVC D2 champions
Captains: Jacob Carlson, sr.; Andrew Monahan, sr.; Robert Monahan, sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Jake Damiani-Lessard, jr.; Aidan Kenney, jr.; Ryan Keyo, jr.; Grady Spiller, so.
Promising newcomers: Sam Stagnone, fr.; Kyle Plaisted, fr.; Will LaCava, fr.; Karamanolis Konstantinos, fr.
Coach Keith Stone (12th season): “We have moved up to MVC 1 this year following several years of success in MVC 2. It will be exciting to see how our players respond to the new schedule. Jacob Carlson is the two-time MVC 2 Player of the Year and returns for his senior season in good form after a summer playing competitive golf. We are really excited with our new additions and believe we have a very competitive lineup.”
Dracut
League: MVC Division 2
Last season: 1-11
Returning letterwinners: Charlie Wilkie, sr.; Brendan Modeski, sr.; Chris Ravaris, sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Braydon Cheetham, jr.; Will Bicknell, jr.
Promising newcomers: Ryan Cole, sr.; Jake Vigeant, fr.; Jimmy O’Brien, fr.
Coach Eric Karpinski (2nd season): “We will work hard to improve each day of practice and many of our players are young and will develop with experience playing in matches. We are a cohesive unit that will build our chemistry as the season goes on and we hope to add younger and newer players into the mix as they improve.”
Greater Lowell Tech
League: CAC
Last season: 10-6
Captains: Body Simmons, sr.; Nolan Torpey, jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Ben Hickok, jr.; Jack Hickok, jr.; Joseph McMenamy, Cody McGrade, Brady McMorrow, Jackson Ferreira
Promising newcomer: Andrew Baia, fr.
Coach Robert Jones (3rd season): “We enjoyed their first winning season and trip to the state tournament last season. With most of the team returning, we are excited for the upcoming season. We are hoping to be right there fighting for the top spot in the CAC league this year. The team has improved greatly over the last year, which should make this season very exciting.”
Groton-Dunstable
League: Mid-Wach B
Last season: 13-1-1
Captains: Robert Flynn, sr.; Jonas Carpenter, jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Andrew Kuliesis, sr.; Anthony Polcaro, sr.; Griffin Southwick, sr; Brody Acucena, sr.; Drew McKennon, sr.; Riley Brueggemann, jr.; James Coughlan, jr.; Thomas Pauly, so.
Promising newcomers: Ben O’Brien, jr.; Cameron Columbus, jr.; John Orpen, jr.; Hunter Hillenberg, jr.; James Conley, jr.; Owen Bernard, jr.; Jack Saboliauskas, jr.
Coach Shawn Campbell (2nd season): “We had an incredible turnout this year, with 41 students registering for the golf program, a testament to the growing interest and talent in our community. Of those 41, 17 players broke 40 during tryouts, which is an impressive reflection of the depth and skill level on this team. With this level of ability and commitment, I’m excited and optimistic about what we can achieve this season.”
Groton-Dunstable senior co-captain Robert Flynn is one of the area’s top golfers. (Courtesy photo)
Littleton
League: Mid-Wach C
Last season: 7-8
Captains: Gavin Werling, sr.; Andrew Archer, sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Liam Parkinson, sr., Colin Fitzgerald, jr,; Colton Crory, so.; Clay Blaine, so.
Promising newcomers: Ray Chen, sr.; Ryan Merrill, jr.; Eliott Kinney, jr.; Ryan Palumbo, so.; Myles McNaught, fr.; Brady Buckley, fr.; Henry Young, fr.
Coach Todd Shoemaker (11th season): “We have a few team members playing for the first time and enjoying the game. If our guys can play to their potential, we can hopefully make it to the postseason.”
Lowell
League: MVC Division 2
Last season: 9-9
Captains: Matthew Casey, jr.; Shane Peters, jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Brodie Anderson, so.; Danny Gleason, jr.; Buen Cuesta, sr.
Promising newcomers: Michael Casey, so.; Jack Blaschke, so.; Brian Donovan, sr.; Michael Rillovick, so.; Luke Rurak, jr.; Beckett Atamian, fr.
Coach Brian Barry (8th season): “We took a step in the right direction last year. We have some strong golfers with a lot of match play experience returning. We also have a nice mix of newcomers who should be able to help right away. The group seems focused and willing to put in the work to win. If we continue to improve, we should have our share of success this season.”
Lowell Catholic
League: CAC
Last season: 7-8
Captains: Matt Rossetti, sr.; Lucas Silva, jr.; Connor Hills, sr.
Other returning letterwinner: Brenden McMahon, so.
Promising newcomers: Kellen Tesini, sr; Jack Griffin, 7th; Gabriel Silva, 7th; Emily Pizzuto, sr.; Jamison Boland, jr.; Branin Weymouth, so.; Steve Smay, sr.; Xavier Smay, sr.; Peter Fotopoulos, 8th.
Coach Brian Martin (7th season): “We have a nice mix with six seniors and some promising youngsters. I think we may sneak up on a few teams this season. LC’s star pitcher, Kellen Tesini, took up golf this summer and will score consistently. Seventh and eighth-graders Jack Griffin and Peter Fotopoulos have impressed and shown they can play with the top squad.”
Nashoba Tech
League: CAC
Last season: 6-6
Captain: Ryan Walsh, sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Sal Arena, jr.; Declan Farrell, sr.; Matthew Fogg, jr.; Junyao Periera, jr.
Promising newcomers: Luke Hayes, fr.; Erik Miller, sr.; Jackson Ross, fr.
Coach Sayda Betsold (5th season): “Two promising freshmen are joining the roster, bringing new energy and potential to the team. Alongside them, five dedicated returning players have put in the work during the offseason to sharpen their skills and elevate their performance. With this combination of growth, preparation and determination, the team is ready to compete at a higher level and make this season one to remember.”
Captaining the Nashoba Tech golf team this season are, from left, Erik Miller of Littleton, Ryan Walsh of Chelmsford and Declan Farrell of Chelmsford. All three are seniors. (Courtesy photo)
North Middlesex
League: Mid-Wach B
Last season: 14-4
Captains: Brady Lavery, sr.; Jack Sappet, sr.; Maddox Hogan, sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Nolan Lyle, sr.; Logan Brickley, jr.; Will Urda, jr.
Promising newcomers: Catino Spengler, Alex Sarbacker, Nick Colavito, Jack Murphy, Brady Dunbar and Jaxson Brothers.
Coach Derick Fors (20th season, 231 wins): “We graduated two four-year starters and five seniors overall. We will need some players to step into those vacated roles. We had 34 kids try out, a lot of freshmen, so we’re excited for the future.”
Pelham
League: NHIAA Division 2
Returning letterwinners: Madelyn Giampa, jr.; Michael St. Pierre, sr.; Jack Kempton, jr.; Noah Demers, sr.
Promising newcomers: Will Palmer, fr.; Gemma Terry, fr.; Shawn Castles, jr.
Coach Robert Crysts (3rd season): “We lost five seniors from last year but replaced them with five freshmen. We only have four members returning from last year so it will be an exciting year for us.”
Shawsheen Tech
League: CAC
Last season: 14-1, league champs for 20th straight year
Captains: Max Carpenter, sr.; Joseph DaSilva, jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Ryan Dodge, sr.; Tyler Frediani, so.; Nate DiSchino, so.; Gavyn Welch, so.; Ryan Cullity, so.
Promising newcomers: Jake Carr, sr.; Danny Grant, jr.; Andrew Polleys, so.; Devin DeGennarro, jr.; Thomas DaSilva, fr.
Coach Tom Struthers (21st season): “We have great depth and a group that is committed to improving every day. Our captains are playing outstanding golf, setting the tone and inspiring our younger players to raise their game. I believe this team has what it takes to bring Shawsheen its 21st league championship and make a strong run at the vocational and state tournament.”
Tewksbury
League: MVC Division 2
Last season: 4-9-1
Returning letterwinners: Ricky Pacheco, sr.; Tyler Crawford, sr.; Tyler Bourgea, sr.; Drew Broderick, sr.; Mikey Devlin, sr.; Michael Macauda, sr.
Promising newcomers: Nolan Fowlie, jr.; Legend Crane, so.; Nico Auriti, so.; Evan Muir, so.; Nathan Wiggin, so.; Grady Claycomb, fr.
Coach Jim Sullivan (18th year): “We’re excited to have six returners, but we’ll see if they have improved to the same level as the other teams with the same number of returners. We’re very excited about the development of our promising newcomers, who have made significant improvements. Our compete level has increased, along with our on-course golf IQ.”
Tyngsboro
League: Mid-Wach C
Last season: 5-12
Captain: Matt Hilterman, jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Sebastian Castagno, so.; Joe Nguyen, sr.
Promising newcomers: Christian Palumbo, so.; Campbell McLean, jr.; Jackson Ducharme, jr.; George Bell, jr.
Coach Tom Varnum (23rd season): “There’s been a lot of improvement over the first week of practice as the younger players step up to fill new roles. I look forward to their continued development.”
Westford Academy
Captains: Maddie Smith, sr.; Peier Li, sr.; Chase Dubuque, sr.
Other returning letterwinners: Kevin Fitzgerald, sr.; Gaven Pasters, sr.; Nick Anderson, jr.; Arleyya Mohd, jr.; Luke Moran, jr.; Maddox Nguyen, jr.; Lucas Hill, jr.; Josh Richards, jr.; Gregory Hennessy, so.
Promising newcomers: Nipun Kodeboyena, jr.; Veer Taylor, jr.; Dominic Sullivan, so.; Enzo Mora, fr.
Coach Patrick Claycomb (3rd season): “We have very high expectations. We are returning our top two players from last year who plan on playing golf in college. Losing four of our top six players will be tough, but during tryouts it was obvious the returning players had improved, and we will have several newcomers competing to be in our top eight as well.”
Wilmington
League: Middlesex League Liberty Division
Last season: 1-11
Captains: Roman Synnott, sr.; Nate Anderson, jr.
Other returning letterwinners: Isaac Taveras, sr.; Ryan Archer, jr.; Will Poyant, jr.; Derek Perault, sr; Connor Sullivan, sr.; Matt Driscoll, sr.
Promising newcomers: Nick Poeck, fr.; Andrew Poyant, fr.
Coach Mike Maloney (3rd season): “Despite the record last year, we were within a couple of holes of having a very nice season. We bring back seven players who were in the top eight last year and we’re certainly looking to use that experience to win the close matches we lost last season. I am excited about the team growing into a place where we have some options and real internal competition for spots in the matches.”
