Prep storms to Division 1 North golf title

BEVERLY – The last two Division 1 North golf sectional tournaments had left St. John’s coach Larry O’Neill scratching his head.The Eagles had come into the last two sectionals with undefeated regular seasons behind them but had stumbled on basically home turf and not qualified for the state championships.On Monday at Beverly Golf & Tennis Club, the Prep exorcised those demons in a rather convincing way.Taking on the biggest field in the tournament’s history, St. John’s was on its game. Nick Pandelena’s round of 71 was good for the individual championship and helped lead all six Eagles into the 70’s as the Prep cruised to a team total of 297 and a 13-shot victory over Central Catholic.”I was thinking (Monday) morning that we don’t have a senior in our starting lineup so we might be a year away,” O’Neill said. “But as a team, they played up to their ability and did it at the right time. They did a fabulous job and I’m thrilled for them.”Pandelena won the individual competition by two shots over Lexington’s Jeff King. Defending Division 1 individual champ Nick McLaughlin shot a 74 while Brandon Bingel added a 75 and Matt Bullock carded a 77 to give the Eagles four individuals to compete for the title as well at Longmeadow CC next Tuesday.How good were the Eagles on Monday? They didn’t need to count rounds of 78 from Tim Cunningham and Jake Danforth, both of whom missed qualifying for the individual championship by a shot.”Pandelena has a ton of ability and (Monday) he showed all of it,” O’Neill said. “He hits it further than probably anyone we’ve had here and he started putting well last week. And it all came together for him (Monday).”The Eagles (11-3, 5-2 Catholic Conference) still have some work to do before heading off to Longmeadow for the state finals. They take on St. Mary’s on Wednesday in Lynn and close out the regular season against Catholic Memorial on Friday.”I really don’t think anybody could have beaten us (Monday),” O’Neill said. “It’s been an up and down year for us.”Peabody finished in 14th with a team score of 328 but saw Athan Goulos shoot a 76 to earn one of the individual spots in the state finals. Salem was 17th as a team, led by an 82 from Cameron Darmody.Division 3 NorthThe Weston golf team has turned Hillview CC in North Reading into its personal playground once the state tournament rolls around. Without Dual County League rival Wayland, who was elevated to Division 1 this season, to contend with, the Wildcats steamrolled to a 298 and a 21-shot win over Manchester-Essex.Danvers led the local contingent at Hillview with a team score of 327 and a sixth place finish. George Merry was the low man for the Falcons with a round of 78.Saugus finished at 341 as a team, led by Mike Kotowski and Cam Norton’s rounds of 82, while St. Mary’s came in at 362 overall.Division 2 NorthBeverly finished third as a team at 332, just behind winner North Andover (326) and second place Lincoln-Sudbury (328).