The state’s top golfers, teams prepare for state championships this weekend

Clayton Casey and Dante Iannetta of Falmouth walk the course at the Maine Golf Center in Freeport on August 27. The Navigators are the defending Class A champions and are favored to repeat Friday. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

The Falmouth golf team is eager to defend its Class A title.

The Navigators, who won the Southwestern Maine Activities Association championship on Monday, enter the Class A state championships by playing their best golf at the right time.

“We’ve had our eyes on this weekend all season,” Falmouth coach AJ Simokaitis said.

The Class A championships are scheduled for Friday at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro, and the Class B and C championships are Saturday, also in Natanis.

Leavitt’s Jade Haylock also gets a timely call. The three-time defending Class B girls champion finished third overall at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B qualifier.

Natanis hosted the SMAA qualifier on Monday, giving the Navigators a chance to explore the course for the weekend. Sophomores Dante Iannetta and Joe Hansen of Greely each shot a 76 to earn co-medal honors.

“Monday was a great opportunity to get there, in very adverse conditions, and put in a pretty good performance and win the SMAA title, which is something we’ve been missing in recent years,” Simokaitis said. “It was great to have all eight (golfers) qualify (for the individual championship), with Dante as co-medalist. We obviously want to play good golf during the regular season, but we have really been preparing the last few weeks with our eyes on the state tournament.”

Falmouth has consistently ranked among the state’s top programs in recent years, winning Class A crowns in 2021 and 2023 and finishing second in 2022. Iannetta – who shot a 2-over 74 last year to lead the Navigators to the title – is the best golfer on the team this fall.

Thornton Academy, which has won five state crowns in the last 25 years, should also compete.

Leavitt Area High School’s Jade Haylock is chasing her fourth straight Class B title. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

The Golden Trojans last won the Class A championship in 2015. Jack DeLeo, Parker Snell and McKenna Castle – the defending Class A girls co-champion – have helped lead the Trojans. DeLeo (fourth) and Snell (sixth) each had solid performances at the SMAA Championships, while Castle finished 17th overall. DeLeo, a senior, will play lacrosse at Division I Merrimack University next year.

“Jack and Parker are four-year varsity players, which we don’t have a lot of,” Thornton coach Jeff Camire said. “Jack has been in the top three since his freshman year. He’s an overlooked, very good player. He does not participate in the summer golf competitions, but he is an excellent golfer. He is a competitor, a great leader. He sets the tone for us. Parker has had such an incredible year, but he’s overshadowed by Jack because Jack has been outstanding. McKenna is motivated to (repeat as Class A girls champion).”

Brewer, who had the best team score in the KVAC qualifier, could also be in the mix. Senior Calvin Grass, who placed second in the qualifier, leads the Witches. Eddie Goff of Skowhegan and Jacoby Harvey of Bangor tied for second place. Last year’s Class A boys champion, Will Farschon of Brunswick, returns to defend his crown after winning the individual KVAC A title. Oxford Hills’ Alexis McCormick, Class A girls co-champion with Castle, returns to defend her title.

In Class B, a young team from Lincoln Academy will compete for the state title. Kellen Adickes, one of only two seniors on the team, leads the Eagles. At the KVAC qualifier, Lincoln (+49) had the best score among the KVAC B schools by seven strokes, surpassing Morse (+56), Gardiner (+58) and Belfast (+69), who all qualified for states.

“We are a young team; in total I have 13 freshmen, two seniors and one sophomore,” said Lincoln Coach Todd Brackett. “I’m very excited. This team has had a great season, they have continued to make progress throughout the season and are pushing it here towards the end. It was exciting to watch.”

Gardiner’s Jack Quinn looks to be in the hunt for the Class B championship at Natanis this weekend. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Adickes, a senior, had an excellent performance at the KVAC qualifier, shooting a 6-under 66 to beat Gardiner’s Jack Quinn by seven strokes. Adickes finished third in the Class B championship last year, behind Quinn and champion Eli Spaulding of Freeport.

“(Adickes) is a quality golfer,” Brackett said. “He is consistent, which is a great asset for his younger teammates. He gets a chance to work with them and play with them, (and they) see his work ethic as he continues to work on his game. Some of that seeps away. He has been working with the underclassmen this year and even during the summer months. That’s nice to see. It’s exciting to see how they come together when they have a pretty good round.”

York, which won the Western Maine Conference title, will be in the mix, along with Fryeburg Academy and Yarmouth. Presque Isle, the defending Class B champion, won the Penobscot Valley Conference title, led by Nick Lavigne, who shot a 76. Teammates Ryan Blackstone (80) and Logan Caron (81) finished third and fourth, respectively.

Quinn, a junior, is a two-time runner-up for the Class B individual title. In addition to Adickes, Quinn will face a battle from teammate Austin Gould, who finished fourth at the KVAC B qualifier.

In Class C, St. Dominic will look to defend its title. Mason Laflamme leads the Saints, who are again pushed three strokes by last season’s number two Maranacook. Ben Jewett, James Marr and Ethan Chilton are among the most experienced players for the Black Bears.

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