Just one match separates the Fayetteville-Manlius girls golf team from an undefeated regular season.
When the Hornets take on West Genesee Wednesday at Green Lakes, it will do so with a 9-0 mark, highlighted by two head-to-head wins over defending Section III Class A champion Auburn and continuing with last Monday’s 181-249 romp over Baldwinsville.
Madison Kingsley flourished against the Bees, posting a 38 for nine holes. Help came from Audrey Putelo, who had a 47, and Maggie Bonomo and Liz Truman, each of whom finished at 48, well clear of B’ville’s top individual, Jordyn Fofi, who had a 58.
Then, in the second annual Jamesville-DeWitt Eastside Varsity Tournament Wednesday at Butternut Creek, F-M, with a score of 144, edged host J-D (148) for the top spot, with East Syracuse Minoa getting a 161 and Christian Brothers Academy earning 195 behind Cazenovia (167) and Chittenango (175).
Kingsley helped the Hornets repeat its tournament title from 2015, leading all individuals by shooting a 33. The Spartans’ Audrey Rivers shot a 35, beating the Red Rams’ Lena Jones and Alex Catanzarite by one shot. Also for J-D, MaryKate Scheftic and Lizzie Redmore both finished with 38 and Zoe Pippens contributed a 39.
Before that, J-D made it eight wins in a row at Butternut Creek last Monday afternoon, turning back Cazenovia 156-183. Redmore and Catanzarite both had to deal with cold, windy conditions, but still shot 39 to tie for individual honors ahead of the Lakers’ Erin Howles, who had a 41. Jones provided extra help for the Red Rams, posting a 45.
A three-team match at Butternut Creek followed 24 hours later, with J-D facing Skaneateles and Westhill and the scores terrific on all three sides. But it was the Red Rams prevailing again, with 157 to the Lakers’ 165 and the Warriors’ 171.
Jones claimed individual honors by posting a 36, two shots better than Westhill’s Shannon Bunce. The support came from Scheftic, who had a 39, and Redmore, who had a 40. Jenna Field led Skaneateles, tying Scheftic with a 39 as three of her teammates – Breanna Sisson, Karah Blair and Addison Gremly – each shot 42.
Not wanting to get left out of the race, Christian Brothers Academy proved impressive last Monday afternoon with a 211-250 victory over Central Square at Drumlins. Liz Kip shot a 47, with Megan McKeen adding a 52 and Mackenzie Griffith getting a 55, each of them in front of Hannah Burnett, who led the Redhawks with a 58.
A day later, at Arrowhead, CBA topped East Syracuse Minoa 198-218, and this time it was McKeen leading the way by posting a 41. Kip added a 47 and Griffith improved to a 54, with the Spartans getting its low round from Audrey Rivers, who matched Kip with a 47 of her own.
Following Wednesday’s tournament, ESM would get its shot at J-D head-to-head, and put up quite a resistance before the Red Rams prevailed 186-194 to make it nine match wins in a row.
Three players shared individual honors – and two of them were Spartans. Rivers and Sarah Moran both shot 45 to match Redmore, but J-D got out in front when Catanzarite posted a 46 and, right behind her, Pippens had a 47 and Jones a 48, each of them ahead of ESM’s tandem of Kaleigh Graves (50) and Megan Honors (54).
The strong boys golf season for Manlius-Pebble Hill continued last Monday with a 224-302 victory over Pulaski. Nathan Lesch shot a 41, taking individual honors over Johnny Gruninger and Bryce Church, each of whom shot 45. The Blue Devils’ Caleb Davies led his side with a 54.
Bishop Grimes not only had its own win over Pulaski 249-274 last Wednesday afternoon, but saw Anthony Falgiatano, with a nine-hole score of 41, qualify for the Section III tournament. Jake Saleski offered further support by shooting a 49, the same as Nick Jones for the Blue Devils.
MPH, meanwhile, had moved on to a match against Port Byron, where it handled the Panthers 216-242. And it was Gruninger returning to the forefront for the Trojans, posting a 38 as Grant Lewis stepped up with a 41. George Bruno had a 45, one behind Port Byron teammates Kieran Herrmann and E.J. Townsend.
