THE WARRIORS are the 2024 Middlesex League Freedom Division champions. (Courtesy Photo)
NORTH READING — The Wakefield High golf team finished up their league schedule with a 49-23 victory over Watertown at Thomson Country Club in North Reading on Monday afternoon.
With that win, the 8-4-1Warriors earned the 2024 Middlesex League Freedom Division title, going 6-4-1 in the league and 4-1 against Freedom opponents.
This is Wakefield’s first divisional title since sharing the crown in a shortened 2020 season and their first outright championship since 2014.
“I’m so proud of the work our team put in from last year to this season – literally from worst to first,” said head coach Chris Keane. “The guys are a great group led by some really motivating and dedicated seniors. They really earned it.”
The Warriors finished 3-11 overall last year. This year, they started off with two eye-opening wins over Lexington and Melrose before dropping four straight and falling to 2-4 on Sept. 5. The Warriors have gone undefeated since, including a 36-36 tie against Winchester, the best team in the Liberty Division.
Wakefield’s championship-clinching victory over Watertown featured individual wins in six of the eight matchups.
Sophomore Patrick Maloney continued his incredible season by shooting a 3-under par to win his matchup at No. 1, 8-1. He shot a 33 on Thomson’s Par 36.
Freshman Michael Yianacopolus also won, 8-1 at No. 4. He shot an even 36 to close out a phenomenal first league season.
The Warriors had five players shoot under a 40 in this one. Joining Maloney and Yianacopolus was senior captain Luke Greif (37) who won 5.5-3.5 in the No. 2 slot; senior Daegan Pothier (38) who won 7-2 at No. 3 and sophomore Brayden Myette (39) who won 6-3 at No. 5. Sophomore Ryan McCarthy got the last win, taking the No. 8 matchup 6.5-2.5 with a 43.
Before their win over Watertown, Wakefield sent three representatives to compete at the Middlesex League Shootout held at Bear Hill Golf Club on Sept. 26.
Maloney, Greif and Pothier represented the Warriors well at the Shootout.
At Bear Hill’s Par-71, Maloney shot a 74, Greif a 78 and Pothier an 89.
Maloney’s score was the best in the Freedom Division and 2nd overall.
Wakefield’s incredible ascent into a league championship this year is a credit to their senior leaders like Greif and Pothier in addition to a dedicated group of newcomers and returners alike. The Warriors worked hard in the offseason and now have a trophy to show for it, along with an opportunity to compete at states.
“I couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Keane.
Wakefield’s final match is on Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. against Saugus at King Rail Reserve.
The Warriors will then get ready for the Div. 2 North Sectional Tournament, their first trip back to states since 2019.
