Published October 17, 2024
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
STOW — It was a great day for the North Reading High golf team on Tuesday in the Division 3 North Sectionals at Stow Acres (North Course) on a sunny, but very cool day.
The Hornets came in second place to qualify for the state finals as only the top three schools advance.
Weston won the event with a 313 while the Hornets had a 338. Cape Ann League opponent, Manchester-Essex came in third at 342.
Jason Curran led the way with a 79 on the par 72 layout. Tom Gazda was second with an 81 while Conrad Gerber shot an 86.
The fourth score that counted was Liam Blanchette who had a 92.
Leo Romanski (96) and Max Forristall (98) had the two other scores that didn’t count as only the top four scores per team count.
“I am extremely proud,” stated Hornets head coach Jon Kiniry. “They exceeded my expectations and it was a fun ride back home.”
This is the second year in a row the team has qualified for the state finals after missing it the previous 20 years.
In the final match of the regular season on Oct. 9, the Hornets edged host Ipswich, 149-147, at Ipswich Country Club.
With that win, North Reading officially clinched the Cape Ann League Kinney Division title as they went 10-1.
“I was very happy with that win,” said Kiniry. “That is a tricky course with some thick rough.”
Also, since Ipswich is private, only a few of the Hornets have actually played there as they last played there two years ago.
Romanski led the way with 33 points (Stableford scoring).
Stephen Desisle was second with 26 while Curran had 24.
The three other scores used were Gerber (23), Gazda (22) and Forristall (21).
On Friday, Curran and Romanski will be the Hornet representatives at the Cape Ann League Open at Far Corner in West Boxford. That event will start at 10 a.m.
On Oct. 21, the Division 3 state finals will take place at Foxboro County Club starting at 9 a.m.
“We are hoping to get a practice round there sometime this weekend,” said Kiniry.