VASSELBORO — On a day where most teams battled the brisk temperatures and the wind, Thornton Academy seemed to embrace the chilly air at Natanis Golf Course on Saturday.
The Golden Trojans went low to win the MPA’s Class A Team championship with a score of 310, 14 strokes ahead of Cheverus, which finished in second with a score of 324. Scarborough came in third at 326.
Hashilla Rivai, Thornton’s No. 1 golfer, shot the low round of the day in any class with a score of 72 on the Tomahawk course. Greg Kalagais and Jordan LaPlume shot a 79, while Logan Picard put an 80 on the board to round out the four scores for the Golden Trojans.
Thornton came in looking for redemption from last year’s team championship where the Trojans finished fourth, four strokes behind Scarborough, which won the state championship.
“Last year, we didn’t play well,” Thornton Academy coach Jeff Camire said. “That was big motivator for them. Starting in April, I know three of the seniors were out here in the spring and tournament golf in the summer.”
Messalonskee finished fourth with a score of 330, while Greely rounded out the top five with a 334.
Lewiston came in sixth, shooting a 336. Brendon Croteau was the low Blue Devil as he shot a 78. Kyle Morin put an 85 up, while Andrew Loisel had an 86 and Stephanie Rodrigue dropped in a 87.
After a slow start, Croteau picked it up on the way in.
“He had a great back nine,” Lewiston coach Tom LeBlond said. “He had a mediocre 43 on the front and 1-under on the back one backside. I was really impressed with his performance and thought all the (players) played well.”
Falmouth with shot a 341, Camden Hills and Windham each had a 343, Brunswick finished with a 350 and Mt. Ararat churned out a 369 to round out the Class A competition
In the Class C Championship, Mattanawcook Academy defeated St. Dominic Academy by six strokes. Mattanawcook shot a 323 on the Arrowhead course as their No. 1 golfer Logan Thompson shooting a 78. Max Woodman and Jeff Garfield each carded an 80, while Elliot Sibley put an 85 on the board.
Brendan Donovan was the low Saint as he shot a 77, which was tied for the low medalist in Class C along with Ryan Dee of Houlton. Nate Richard recorded an 81 for the Saints, while Justin Keaney came in with 84. A.J. Parsi notched an 87 to round out the Saints scoring.
“We came out here with a number of 330 that we felt that if we did 330 or better we had a solid chance,” St. Dom’s coach Michael Lacombe said. “We came in with a 329 so I can’t really complain. Mattanawcook came out and really shot low. They put four low rounds together. That was the first time we’ve seen that team and they were strong. They deserve it, they played well.”
As it always seems to be the case, the Saints and Winthrop were neck-and-neck as the Ramblers finished third with a score of 331. The top two players, Anthony Owens and Charlie de Haas shot an 80 and 81, respectively. Zac Robertson had an 82, while Brogan Plossey notched an 88.
“The kids played good, they played well, just not well enough,” Winthrop coach Lonney Steeves said. “I am very proud of them. We were seeded in the middle of the pack and we finished third. We just don’t come home with a plaque this year.”
Houlton came in fourth with a four-person score of 350. Dirigo was right behind them in fifth with a 353.
Mike Kersey Jr. led the Courgars with an 82 while Jacob Gaudin and Mason Corriveau each had an 86 while Gavin Hebert notched an 99.
Dirigo coach Mike Kersey Sr. was happy with his team’s effort.
“I had two kids who have never played,” Kersey Sr. said. “One is a senior and it’s the first-time he played on the high school team and a junior, who was on the team for the first-time.”
In the Class B Championship, which was held on the Tomahawk course, the Cape Elizabeth Capers came in with a 322, 12 shots clear of the Old Town Coyotes.
Austin Legge led the Capers with a 78, while teammates Ryan Collins and Max Altznauer each had a 81 and Lauren Shonewolf was one shot behind them.
MCI came in third with 347, behind Eric Dugas’ 76 which was the low score in Class B. MDI was three shots behind MCI while Gardiner finished in fifth with a 355.
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