For the second year in a row, the Franklin County Technical School golf team took home a state title on Thursday.
The Eagles bested the field at the MIAA Small School State Vocational Championships, repeating as champions in the event held at Gardner Municipal Golf Course. Franklin Tech’s total of 327 easily bested the field, defeating runner-up Essex by eight strokes to claim the state crown.
“That’s one heck of a way to end a season, to win a state championship,” Franklin Tech coach Sean Knightly lauded. “I’m very proud of the players on our team and the accomplishment they were able to put together.”
In addition to the team victory, the Eagles also took home the individual portion of the tournament. Mike McGoldrick captured medalist honors for the entire field, as he posted a round of 77 to lead the way out of the No. 1 spot.
All five of Franklin Tech’s golfers broke 90 during Thursday’s event. Senior Mike Patnode was next behind McGoldrick with an 80, while senior Nate Pelletier was the team’s No. 3 scorer with a round of 81. Ryan Artus and Anthony Zager both came through with rounds of 89, tying for the fourth scoring slot.
“They all played outstanding,” Knightly said. “I gave each player an individual goal before their round and they all met their goals today. Most importantly, though, I wanted them to go out and just relax and have fun.”
Knightly said the mix of veterans and newcomers made the team’s second consecutive state vocational crown all that more exciting.
“I think the combination of repeat champions really helped,” the coach began. “We had two seniors — one of them (Patnode) has been with me all four years as a coach — they know the expectations. Those seniors and repeat champions were really able to help the new kids that joined this year (Artus, Zager). They were like sponges, really absorbed a lot.”
Franklin Tech shared Bi-County League West title honors with McCann Tech this fall, marking the Eagles’ second consecutive league crown. The team took fifth at the WMass Div. 3 tourney earlier this week.
Bement jamboree
Greenfield’s Paige Bernier scored a team-high four goals over the course of the tournament, helping Bement School in its 43rd Annual Field Hockey Jamboree last weekend in Deerfield.
The event, started in 1975 by Tom Falcon, featured Frontier, Bement, Belchertown, Pine Cobble, Hampshire Regional, Mahar and Greenfield from Massachusetts, as well as Mt. Anthony School from Vermont and Foote School and Pine Point School from Conn.
Belchertown won the tournament, and Greenfield Middle School received the sportsmanship award.
In addition to Bernier’s big performance, Whately’s Myalin Lawrence scored twice for Bement and Shelburne Falls’ Avery Freeman also tallied. Bement won its three morning games en route to a fourth-place finish in the event. Other Franklin County players on the Bement roster include Ella Sabelawski (Greenfield), Natania Reid (Deerfield), Campbell Ardrey (Deerfield), Abbi Grover (South Deerfield), Kamren Richardson (Greenfield), Sydney Rourke (Northfield), Josie Sabelawski (Greenfield).
Mohawk Suburban
The Mohawk grades 5/6 and 7/8 boys Suburban League basketball teams will hold tryouts on Sunday at 1 p.m. and Tuesday at 5:30 pm at the Mohawk Trail Regional High School gymnasium.
Players should try to attend both days and arrive 15 minutes prior to the tryout.
Eligibility is limited to players residing in the towns of Buckland, Shelburne, Colrain, Ashfield, Charlemont, Plainfield, Heath, Hawley and Rowe or any student who school choices to the Mohawk district or attends a private school in the towns listed.
To be eligible for the fifth and sixth team a player must be in that grade and cannot turn 13 prior to September 1, 2018. For the seventh and eighth grade team, a player cannot turn 15 prior to September 1, 2018. The league runs from November until early March. Questions can be directed to jsraefallbaseball@gmail.com