SWAMPSCOTT ― The Swampscott golf team closed out its shortened 2020 season on the hottest of hot streaks, and coming into 2021, the Big Blue are hoping they can keep that momentum going.
“Last season was obviously an adjustment for everyone, and I think nothing shows that more than the fact that we lost our first two matches and then won our last nine in a row,” said Swampscott coach Jason Knowles. “Those guys went out and made the best of what they were given, and hopefully we can continue that hot streak right into this fall.”
While there are several returning players to the Big Blue lineup this fall, there are still plenty of holes that need to be filled. Three of Swampscott’s top four players from 2020 ― captains Danny DiLisio, Aidan Graciale and Nate Stern ― have graduated from the program.
“We had a great group of seniors last year, and they weren’t just great players but also great leaders,” said Knowles. “It’s obviously always tough losing three of your top guys, but we have a lot of young talent that we’re excited about as well.”
There are also a number of returning players ready to step up and make an impact, starting with senior captain Lou Spellios. A four-year varsity player for Swampscott, Spellios only lost one match in the No. 3 slot last year and will be moving up to the No. 1 slot in 2021. Senior Connor Correnti, sophomore Jason Bouffard and sophomore Will Roddy will all return after playing on the varsity squad last year, while sophomore Dawson DiBarri will play at the varsity level full time after splitting his time between varsity and JV last year. Add in newcomers like junior Nate Maercklein and sophomore Ben O’Brien, and the Big Blue have plenty of talent to work with.
But maybe even more significant than the talent returning to the team is the talent that came out for tryouts. Knowles said that 21 student-athletes came out for the team this year, the largest turnout he can remember.
“Our numbers were really good for the second year in a row, and that’s really encouraging,” said Knowles. “We had some freshmen with great swings that would’ve been great to have on the team, but it really bodes well for the future of the program that so many kids came out to play.”
The Big Blue have gotten out for four practices to this point, dodging the weather when they can in order to get prepared for the start of the season.
“There’s a lot of excitement out there, but a lot of nerves as well,” said Knowles. “The guys have really worked hard on their games over the summer and you can tell they want to come out and show that they’ve improved.”
Swampscott opens up the year on Tuesday (4) at home against Danvers at Tedesco Country Club.
“It’s exciting to get the season started earlier rather than later, especially after last year when we started a month late,” said Knowles. “Also, I think coming right out and playing a quality program like Danvers will be a great litmus test for us and it will really show us where we stand and how much we need to improve.”
