Globe North Sports Notebook

Salem State finally defends MASCAC crown

By John Vellante

May 9, 2010

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The Salem State College men’s golf team finally defended its Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference championship, but it was a 20-year wait for the Vikings.

The MASCAC dropped its post-season championship after Salem State captured the title in the 1989-90 season. It restored the tournament this season.

Senior cocaptain Jeff Santora shared medalist honors, firing a 2-over-par 74 at the 6,909-yard Blackstone National Golf Course in Sutton, while fellow cocaptain Nick Antonelli carded a 75, tying for third overall. James Cimini (79) was fifth, freshman Bill Connell (80) of Billerica placed sixth, and junior Luke Paradis (84) of Haverhill was 11th as Salem (308) finished 19 strokes ahead of runner-up Westfield State.

Nonetheless, Salem State was denied an invitation to the NCAA Division 3 Championships this week in Hershey, Pa. The Vikings were ranked eighth in Pool B of a seven-team field. The final slot went to Wisconsin-Claire.

“Believe me it was wonderful to win the MASCAC title, but it would have been a lot nicer had an automatic bid to the NCAAs been on the line,’’ said coach Steve Campbell, a Melrose native now living in Andover, who sits on the NCAA selection committee.

“Most of the Massachusetts state colleges have dropped golf, so that wasn’t happening. Because of that we were dropped into Pool B and from there only seven are chosen. It is very disappointing, especially for the seniors.’’

He was referring to Santora and Antonelli, both three-year cocaptains. When Santora led the field, Antonelli was usually right behind, and when Antonelli led the field, Santora was right behind.

“Perhaps the best one-two punch in Division 3,’’ said Campbell.

Both were honored last week for their stellar performances. Antonelli received the John Galaris Award and Santora the President’s Award as Salem State’s top student-athletes. Both are under consideration for All-America honors by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

“Unfortunately, the season’s over for [Santora] and me,’’ said Antonelli. “We didn’t make the NCAAs, but hopefully coming so close will help motivate the rest of the team for next year. Personally, this was a somewhat satisfying season. I accomplished some of the things I wanted to accomplish. I wanted to break 70 and did (68) in the New Englands. I learned how to go low and at the same time hold my game together when not at my best. This season, a bad round for me was 78 or 79. In the past it was 82 or 83.’’

Campbell said he was pleased with the 80 carded by Connell in the MASCAC Championships.

“Honest, the 80 was perfect, exactly what I was looking for from my fourth scoring man,’’ he said.

The 84 by Paradis was dropped in the team scoring.

“They’re both returning next season, so we have a solid base to start from,’’ said Campbell.

“It’s a funny game,’’ he continued. “Had any one of our golfers shot a stroke, maybe two less, we’d be heading to Hershey to play in the NCAAs instead of Wisconsin-Claire.

“But we are a team and we succeed or fail as a team. The nice thing here, though, is that I feel we didn’t fail. We did the best we could and wound up being beaten out for that seventh and final spot. It was a bit frustrating, but everyone tried their best. What else can a coach ask for?’’

Campus corner

Boston College freshman forward Chris Kreider of Boxford, who helped propel the Eagles to this year’s NCAA championship, has been added to the 2010 US national ice hockey team that is competing in the IIHF World Championship now through May 23 in Germany. Kreider had 15 goals and eight assists for BC last season. . . . The University of Massachusetts Lowell will induct 2004 NCAA Division 2 Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Elad Inbar into its Athletic Hall of Fame Tuesday. Inbar, a native of Tel Aviv, led the River Hawks to 100 wins during his career and twice to the NCAA Elite Eight. He is a two-time All-America and the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,099 points. . . . Merrimack senior Cory Spinale of Wakefield was the Northeast-10 Conference lacrosse Goalkeeper of the Year. He led the conference in save percentage (.644) and was fifth nationally in goals-against average (6.33). . . . The New England Collegiate Conference named Lesley senior Jodi Fralick of Woburn its softball Player of the Week after she batted .571 in nine games for the 15-1 Lynx. Among her 16 hits were two home runs, three doubles, and a triple. She also had 12 RBIs.

Around and about

Burlington will induct nine athletes, a coach, a benefactor, and the championship 1966-67 boys’ hockey team into its Hall of Fame Oct. 10 at Cafe Escadrille. The honorees include: Michael Crocker (1977, football); Joanne Fogarty Vigneau (1971, field hockey and softball); Ellen Keohane (1979, soccer, basketball, and softball); John Knowles (1980, gymnastics); Dottie LaCrosse-Knowlton (1945, basketball and softball); Mike Leone (1967, football, basketball, and baseball); Susan Murphy McGowan (1977, field hockey, softball, basketball, and cheerleading); Joseph Robillard (1969, hockey and baseball); Albert Wilde (1954, football, basketball, and baseball): Michael Phelan (boys’ tennis coach from 1979-1994 and girls’ tennis coach from 1996-97 and again from 2002-06); and Dottie Bartlett Yeadon (1966, a longtime supporter of the athletic program). For ticket information call athletic director Ed Gillis at 781-270-1866.

Ideas and information may be sent to JohnPVel@aol.com