By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — Jon Kiniry is the new head coach of the North Reading High golf team this year. He takes over for Brian McAuliffe, who stepped down in June after 14-years at the helm.
Kiniry, a chemistry teacher at North Reading High since 2016, applied for the job in mid-June and was hired by athletic director David Johnson in late July.
This will be the 38-year-old’s first coaching job.
Kiniry, who lives in Waltham, grew up in upstate New York and played on the golf team at Saugeritis High all four years. He then went to college at SUNY Albany.
“Golf is a fun game and I was bit by the bug early,” he recalled. “I try to hit the driving range as much as I can and play once or twice a week during the summer.”
He met with his team for the first time at tryouts at Hillview Golf Course on Aug. 19.
“I have taught most of the kids on the team,” Kiniry pointed out, which makes the switch easier. “From what I saw the first week, the camaraderie is good and there is a lot of positivity.”
He inherits a team that went 11-3 overall and 9-2 in the Cape Ann League last fall. The Hornets placed 3rd in the CAL Kinney Division behind Lynnfield and Newburyport.
The team then finished 3rd in the Division 3 North Sectionals at Stow Acres (North Course) and placed 10th in the Div. 3 state final at Sterling National Country Club.
It was the school’s first state finals appearance in over 20 years.
Five seniors from that team graduated, including star, Isabel Brozena, who is now playing at Xavier University.
However, several veterans are back, including co-captains, Liam Blanchette and Jason Curran.
“I am looking forward to the season a lot,” said Kiniry. “Not having Isabel is a big loss but we still have a lot of talent with good leaders and mentors.”
It was a busy stretch for Kiniry since the start of last week.
Last Friday, he had to make his cuts for the final roster. He then has practices this week as his team will actually start the season before school begins.
The Hornets open the 2024 campaign when they host Manchester-Essex on Sept. 3 at Hillview.
School starts at North Reading High two days later on Sept. 5.