ORANGE – The Southwick-Tolland Regional High School golf team is perfect in more ways than one right now.
Southwick shut out Mahar 24-0 on the road to improve to a flawless 12-0, and in the process helped Rams’ seven-year head coach Al Selden capture win No. 100.
“I’ve just been so fortunate to have so many golfers since I’ve been coaching,” said Selden, whose top golfer, James Longhi, continued his dominant season with a round of 37.
Longhi was followed by teammates Brad Durand (38), Chris Baker (40), Matt Garrity (41), Jack Fairley (41), and Nick Kavrakis (42), who each contributed to their coach’s achievement.
“It was great that it fell during this season with us being 12-0 and on such a great run,” Selden said. “It highlights this year even more. …It’s a nice feeling to get to that milestone.”
SOUTHWICK GOLF
“In the beginning, it was Joe Kucienski, Ben Phelps, and Brandon Tenerowicz,” the Rams’ coach explained, regarding his early years. “After they graduated, Jake Hough took over as my number one golfer, and Chris Molta came along.”
Since then, senior golfers Longhi and Durand have helped Selden to a 60-6 record.
“These guys have all been shooting in the 30s. … I’ve just been fortunate to have kids that are dedicated and have a passion for the game,” Selden said.
Last year, Southwick posted one of its best finishes, finishing runners-up in Western Massachusetts. This season, they have looked like the front-runners with senior leadership, seasoned golfers and an infusion of young talent like Garrity, an eighth-grader, melding into a formidable unit.
Still, Selden warns that his golfers need to guard against complacency and cockiness, and instead maintain a high level of confidence.
“This game will humble you in a heartbeat,” Selden said.
The pulse of this team is strong right now, and shows no signs of slowing down.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
Bombers sweep Rams
Westfield def. Southwick-Tolland 25-7, 25-15, 25-20
Westfield improved to 3-6 overall, 2-3 Western Division behind solid efforts from Bella Kozciak (4 kills, 4 aces), Olivia Hadla (5 kills), Emily Gelinas (13 assists, 6 aces), and Tabby Franceschet (6 aces).
Allie Methe finished with two kills and five digs for Southwick. Rams’ Chloe Emond had one kill, two digs and two aces.
BOYS SOCCER
Lamirande scores twice in Saints’ win
St. Mary’s 2, Pathfinder 1
Jack Lamirande scored two goals, and St. Mary’s escaped Pathfinder with a narrow victory.
Aidan Burke and Kevin Rockwal each earned an assist.
Burke led a strong defensive effort with Dom Nomakeo making 11 saves in net.
Tigers chase Indians
Westfield Technical Academy 8, Ware 0
Brad Marion and Kirill Okhrimenko each scored twice, and Darryl Reopel had four assists in Westfield Tech’s home rout.
Westfield Tech’s Ruvim Suprunchuk had a goal and assist, Emil Sevostyanov tallied a goal for the second straight game, and Anatoly Suprunchuk converted a penalty kick for the final goal.
Surpunchuk scored once as a freshman before being converted into a goalkeeper, where he has guarded the net for the last three years.
“It seems like everyone is ready to step up here in the middle of the season,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “It will be fun to see if these guys can keep pushing through and continue to work as a team.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Tigers, Cybercats knotted
Westfield Tech 0, Sci-Tech 0
Westfield Tech goalie Liliya Stepanchuk (7 saves) and Kiaraly Serrano (3 saves) earned a combined shutout.
LATE RESULTS
Tues., Sept. 26
GOLF
Monson 22, St. Mary 2
Monson’s Conner Rogers shot a match low 39. St. Mary’s Luke Willenborg tied Mustangs’ Cam Kratovil and Mason Dumas for second-best with a 42.
GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY
Southwick-Tolland 25, Monson 31; Southwick-Tolland 20, Granby 35
Becca Drohen scored the competition on an 87-degree day, not only finishing first for Southwick-Tolland, but setting a course record with a winning time of 21:39.
Gabriella Petersen, Reece Couture, and Kamryn McCorsin (who had a personal breakout performance) rounded out the Rams’ scoring.
BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY
Monson 23, Southwick-Tolland 38; Granby 25, Southwick-Tolland 33
Bill Carroll battled the heat and paced Southwick with a team-best time of 17:55. Matt Jansen, Jake Grilli, Cameron Brockbank, and Aiden Drenen rounded out the scoring for the Rams.
JV BOYS’ SOCCER
Southwick-Tolland 0, Frontier 0
Josh Harriman and Collin Strain combined for a shutout in net for Southwick (1-2-2), while Rams’ Ryan Molta, Anthony Diaz, Brennan Vinesett, and Ashton Hedges delivered strong defensive play in the backfield.
