VASSALBORO — Maranacook and Winthrop are probably a year away from contending for state team golf championships, but Saturday they took significant steps toward those goals.
Maranacook finished second in Class B to favorite York while Winthrop finished third in Class C at Natanis Golf Course. Both teams return the bulk of their lineups next season. Maranacook shot a four-player total of 324, finishing 13 strokes behind York, which won the title last year also. The Black Bears improved by 30 shots over last year’s finish with the same lineup.
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“I can’t even think how we could have got 13 (more) shots out there today,” Maranacook coach Ryan Meserve said. “If you’re going to lose you don’t want to lose sleep over it.”
Junior Luke Ruffing, runner-up in the Class B individual championship last fall, led Maranacook with 73 while teammate Cam Brochu shot 79. Matt Delmar (85), Bailey Clark (87) and Tucker Whitman (89) rounded out the scoring.
“The three through five golfers got off to a shaky start,” Meserve said. “The wind was up, but they all kind of stabilized.”
Winthrop didn’t field a team two years ago and had just four players last season. But the Ramblers have a full complement this year and all return for next season.
“With two sophomores, a freshman and a junior to finish third in the state, that’s great,” Winthrop coach Lonney Steeves said. “It’s a nice rebound in two years.”
Sophomore Taylor Morang led Winthrop with 78 followed by Adam Hachey (87), Anthony Owens (88), Zach Steele (98) and Ben Caprara (99).
St. Dominic won the Class C title for the second year in a row and fourth time in the last six years with a total of 319.
“Breaking 320 for a Class C school is pretty awesome,” St. Dom’s coach Kevin Cullen said. “I graduated six of my top seven from last year, and four of the top five who played on my JV team, so they really stepped up.
Gorham shot 309 to win in Class A with many of the same players who won the championship two years ago. Greely took second with 314.
“These guys have played all the MSGAs,” Gorham coach Rick Altham said. “They’ve been together for four years. And they’ve had experience winning their sophomore year.”
Cony shot 331 to finish in the middle of the Class A pack while Messalonskee shot 348.
“I’m very happy with my boys,” Cony coach Tim Folsom said. “Zach Gagne redeemed himself and shot a 78 and Thomas Foster (81) had a good steady round.”
Alex Peachey shot 85 and Tyler Leet 87 to round out the Rams scoring. Brendan Bouchard led Messalonskee with 78 while teammate Justin Rollins shot 83.
Cape Elizabeth’s Reese McFarlane in Class B and Deer Isle-Stonington’s Sam Grindle in Class C each shot three-under 69s for the low round of the day. Gorham’s Nathan Roop was low man in Class A with 73.
Individual schoolboy titles as well as the schoolgirl championship will be decided Saturday at Natanis.
Gary Hawkins — 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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