Saratoga Springs didn’t just win a golf championship yesterday, they absolutely *claimed* their own version of a triple crown, putting a cap on an absolutely stellar run! The Blue Streaks’ boys’ golf team stormed through the Section 2 Class A championship at Fairways of Halfmoon, beating runner-up Bethlehem by a massive 15 strokes. This team is on fire.
Saratoga Springs Delivers on the Triple Crown Promise
This wasn’t just another win, folks. This was the culmination of a full-on mission. As sophomore phenom Francisco “Ceko” Cupp put it himself, “We have this thing called the triple crown: Go undefeated, win the Suburbans (Council) and then win team sectionals. We’ve got two of them. This is the last one.” And they delivered! Cupp himself snagged Class A medalist honors with an incredible 1-under-par 71, leading the charge. This team finished the regular season a perfect 15-0 overall and 11-0 in the Suburban Council, then went on to crush the conference tournament by 19 shots over Shenendehowa. Coach Jake Zanetti has been chasing this “triple crown” for seven years, even with some seriously talented golfers like Kellen Dean (2022), Will Braxton (2020), A.J. Cavotta (2019), and Nolan Crowley (2018) on past rosters. None of those teams could pull it off, but this group did. Zanetti is rightfully proud, saying, “The boys earned it and did a great job today , and for the last two months.” Cupp’s medalist round included four birdies, a bogey, and a double bogey, just edging out Shenendehowa’s Tyler Bowers by one stroke. These guys even sent a message last week, placing four of their players on the nine-player Section 2 team headed to the state tournament in June. That’s serious depth right there: sophomores Cupp (71) and Michael Hakewell (76), senior Cole Whitman (77), and freshman Eliott Meyers (77) all delivered scores contributing to their 301 total. Cupp wasn’t shy about it, saying, “Our (No.) 8 or 9 man could finish second here at team sectionals any day of the week.” Tell ’em, Ceko! Defending champion Shenendehowa finished third, a full 18 shots back.
Mohonasen Grabs Class B Title in a Nail-Biter
While Saratoga was flexing in Class A, Mohonasen kept things incredibly tight in the Class B sectionals, taking the team title by just two shots over Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Ryden Klatt, from the runner-up squad, was the medalist in Class B with a 71. Mohonasen coach Brandon Shoup, who just hit his 100th career victory last month, pointed to their familiarity with the course at Fairways of Halfmoon as a huge advantage, with three of his players having competed in last week’s state qualifier there. Their veteran team clearly had a plan. Shoup’s message was simple: “We told the kids that we didn’t need anything spectacular from them; just play your round, play what you usually play, and we’ll be fine.” And it worked! Their scoring quartet, seniors Nick Mowery (75) and Thomas Gianatasio (85), and juniors Ryan McDonald (78) and Brady Bullinger (84), all finished within 10 strokes of each other, showing that consistency was the name of their game.
Saratoga Springs is now looking forward to the state tournament in June, with four of their players already qualified. The Blue Streaks really proved they are the team to beat, completing a seven-year quest for that coveted triple crown. Mohonasen showed grit and veteran poise to claim their own championship. What a day for Section 2 golf!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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