Section V golf teams struggle through tragedy to finish in 3rd, 6th place at NY tournament

The third-place performance from a Section V's boys golf team down one athlete at states pleased the coaching staff.

In 2023, Victor's Brody Burgess and Pittsford Mendon's Matt Carpentier and McQuaid's Danny Wehle led Section V to a first-place finish. Tragedy struck this year, however, as Spencerport freshman Sam Eichas left the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship tournament in Elmira early after his older sister, Maria, was tragically killed in a car crash June 2. Both tournaments concluded June 3.

The reigning boys and girls All-Greater Rochester Golfers of the Year led Section V in their NYSPHSAA tournament appearances last month. Burgess tied for fourth after placing second in 2023 . Mercy's Sophia Cellura tied for 25th as Section V's girls golf team placed sixth at the NYSPHSAA tournament in Rexford . The boys team wore blue and yellow ribbons to support the Eichas family.

"The kids really took that to heart. It certainly affected them internally, the second day for sure. Even with that, we still had a bunch of new guys who came up pretty big for us," said Pittsford Sutherland coach and Section V coordinator Charlie Webster, who made the trip to Elmira.

What it means

The Section V boys' third-place golf team had three all-state members. Burgess tied for fourth, and McQuaid's Wehle and Alex Hill each finished within the top 20 at Mark Twain Golf Course. Hill was an alternate who replaced McQuaid's Richard Essen because of a confliction with graduation. Section V performed with seven golfers, one less than every other team, after Eichas withdrew. Section V placed first in 2023 and second in 2022.

"It gave us coaches and players some perspective. The kids are playing golf and meanwhile poor Sam's family is going through an unspeakable tragedy. ... It was a good day for Section V, especially considering the circumstances," Greece Athena coach Mike Setzer said.

The Section V girls' sixth place golf team was led by Cellura and Victor's Destiny Jodoin 's top 25 finishes at The Edison Club. Mercy placed fifth in the team tournament. Section V's boys and girls teams spent plenty of time dining and rooming together at their respective NYPHSAA championships.

"The girls actually did pretty well. ... The entire time the girls are rooming together. It really is a team atmosphere," said Brian Buckner, Spencerport's golf coach.

Top golfers

Brody Burgess

The Victor junior's three-under-par 141 tied for fourth overall. He shot a 74 on Day 1 before registering a tourney low 67 on Day 2. In 2023, Burgess placed second individually after forcing a playoff hole. Webster said Burgess had some struggles during the year but came alive in the postseason. At states, Burgess maneuvered through tough fairways to place the ball in scoring position on every hole in the second round. Senior Joseph Dolezal of Section VIII's The Wheatley School shot six-under-par 138 and won the tournament on the second playoff hole.

"(Burgess) didn't play his best the first day but played tremendous the second day," Webster said.

Alex Hill

Alternates are rarely used, but the McQuaid star filled in and earned all-state honors. Hill's 148 tied for 14th after shooting 74s both days. Webster said Hill was upset about not qualifying for states in May, so he was excited to get the chance to golf at NYSPHSAAs.

"The opportunity presented itself and he really took advantage of it. He played great both days," Webster said.

Danny Wehle

The McQuaid sophomore made all-state when his 75-74-149 tied for 17th. Wehle won a first place medal last year when he qualified as a Bishop Kearney golfer.

Girls

Sophia Cellura

The Mercy senior tied for 25th overall. Cellura shot 164 for the tournament, shooting 78 on Day 1 and 86 on Day 2. In the fall, Cellura guided Mercy to a fifth straight Section V title as the individual champion. Senior Kennedy Swedick of Section II's The Albany Academies won the NYSPHSAA title at eight-under-par 136.

Destiny Jodoin

The Victor freshman also tied for 25th with a 164. Jodoin shot an 85 in the first round and finished with a 79.

Game balls

Boys

Greece Athena junior Joshua Bradley tied for 28th with a 79-74-153. He's a longtime golfer with multiple junior tournament titles who finally made it to NYSPHSAAs. He's grown physically and peaked during the postseason.

"Josh has been really good for a long time now. ... He had a great season this year. He shot great for sectionals and supers, and two really solid performances at states," Setzer said.

Carpentier tied for 40th with a 74-81-155. It was the senior's third state tournament, and he may have qualified as a freshman if not for COVID. He'll golf at Division I Loyola Maryland next year. Fairport's senior Connor Kiel (153) and junior Zach Jerome (165), and Victor eight-grader Ethan Domajnko (169) rounded out Section V's scoring. Keil was on Section V's NYSPHSAA runner-up team in 2022.

"(Carpentier) is a solid golfer but even better kid," Webster said. "He puts a lot of time in. He was a really good leader for our team and does things the right way," Webster said.

Eichas' two-over-par 74 in the first round was tied for sixth overall before he withdrew to be with his family. Eichas relished at the chance to compete at states since trying to qualify in 2023.

"Sam is the most focused and driven golfer I've come across in my 10 years of coaching. He lives for golf and it shows. ... He does everything he can to be the best golfer he can. I can't imagine how difficult that weekend had to be for him and his family," Buckner said.

Girls

Spencerport junior Hannah Prince tied for 53rd with a 86-92-178. Her Rangers teammate, freshman Emily Zigrossi , tied for 69th with a 93-93-186. Zigrossi was focused and didn't let the pressure of states get to her, Buckner said. For Prince, getting to state was her goal after coming up short in 2023.

"It was something she really worked hard for. We were really proud of her that she made it," Buckner said.

Fairport sophomore Harper Dittman (84-85-169), Aquinas senior Emily Ferguson (87-84-171), Harley Allendale Columbia freshman Jennie Piao (90-84-174), Webster sophomore Macey Fox (96-87-183) and Mercy senior Marisa Eichas (90-90-185) also scored for Section V. Mercy sophomore Claire Cellura shot a 110-103-213 in the team tourney.

What's next?

Section V will host the NYSPHSAA boys and girls golf championships in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville will host the boys and the girls will golf at Wildwood Country Club in Rush.

"It's nice to have people from out of town see the Rochester area and get the golf courses out there. It should be a good time," Webster said.

— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He has been a reporter for 15 years. Follow him @MarquelSports and X or on Instagram. You can contact him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V golf teams struggle through tragedy to finish in 3rd, 6th place at NY tournament