Division 1 Sectional Golf Championships: Saint John's, Xaverian Winners Again; Paine's 66 Sparks Longmeadow
Three of the four Division 1 Fall Golf sectional champions were crowned on October 14, with a pair of Catholic Conference rivals repeating as team winners in Central and South, and a sizzling individual score leading the way in the West.
The Division 1 North tournament will be played October 15 at Hillview Golf Course in North Reading.
The top three teams from each section will advance to the Division 1 State Championship on October 21 at The Ridge Club in Sandwich. In addition, any individuals in the top 10 percent (plus ties) in their respective sectional tournaments also will advance.
Here is a look at the action:
Division 1 Central
The city of Shrewsbury is home to the individual and team champions. Shrewsbury High School’s Ryan Kelley shot a 3-under-par 69 at Kettle Brook Golf Club in Paxton and earned a 1-stroke victory, becoming the first Colonials golfer in more than a decade to earn sectional medalist honors.
Meanwhile, it certainly hasn’t been a long wait for St. John’s High. Led by strong performances from Cael Duggan (T-3, even-par 72) and Lukas Schleyer (T-5, 2-over 74), the Pioneers earned their sixth consecutive D1 Central team championship. St. John’s finished at 8-over, 10 shots clear of their crosstown rival Shrewsbury (+18). Westborough High School was third (+20), followed by King Philip Regional H.S. (+21) and Westford Academy (+23).
Kelley edged out Jason Ahn of Acton-Boxborough Regional H.S. (2-under 70), becoming Shrewsbury’s first individual champion since Nick Rodriguez in 2012.
Triston Krumsiek of Westborough shared third place with Duggan, and Schleyer was in a four-way tie in fifth with Maxx Zides of North Attleborough High School, Jacob Carlson of Chelmsford High School, and Peier Li of Westford Academy.
Adam Trani and Wyatt Rue each were part of a T-9 pack at 3-over 75 to round out the scoring for Saint John’s.
Division 1 South
Defending champion Xaverian Brothers High School placed a pair of golfers in the top four and picked up the program’s fifth sectional title in six years. The Hawks finished at 12-over, putting them 9 shots ahead of runner-up Wellesley High School.
Alec Williams of Natick High School conquered the par-72 Acushnet River Valley Golf Club layout at even par to earn medalist honors, the first Fall golf champions in Redhawks program history.
Xaverian’s Thomas Constantine tied for second with Aarav Lau of Wellesley (1-over 73), and Michael McCormack was fourth (2-over 74) to lead Xaverian. Christopher Morrow was in a pack at T-7 (4-over 76), and Luke Edgar was tied for 12th (5-over, 77).
Charlie Novak of Catholic Memorial School and Matthew Drohen of Oliver Ames High School shared fifth place (3-over 75). Defending champion Chris Psaros of Braintree High School was in the T-7 pack with Xaverian’s Morrow as well as Natick teammates Aiden Donath and Ethan Gaudet, plus Teddy Uller of Wellesley.
Braintree was third as a team (26-over), 1 shot ahead of Natick.
Division 1 West
Wesley Paine was dominant at Ludlow Country Club, finishing with a 6-under-par 66 and carrying Longmeadow High School back to the top of the podium.
After being dethroned by Minnechaug Regional High School a year ago, the Lancers returned the favor with their 10-over score, outdistancing Minnechaug by 11 shots. Agawam High School was third (+43), followed by Wachusett Regional High School (+46) and East Longmeadow High School (+51).
While Paine was the star with four birdies as well as an eagle on the par-5 9th hole, he was far from the only Lancer high on the leaderboard. Connor Henrey and Leigh Chapman were tied for sixth (5-over 77) and Burleigh Grant alone in eighth (6-over 78). Jack Arnold was in a four-way tie for ninth at 7-over 79.
Minnechaug had three golfers in the top five with Ali Akwal second (2-over 74), Brody Faneuff third (3-over 75), and Logan Thomas tied for fourth with Wachusett’s Dom DelNegro (4-over 76).
Led by Wesley Paine's 6-under-par 66 at Ludlow Country Club, Longmeadow High School secured the 2025 Division 1 West Fall Golf championship.
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