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12/29/2019 11:00 PMThere were a plethora of success stories on the Guilford sports scene in 2019. The Guilford fencing program dominated at the Team State Championships during the winter, while the spring season saw the girls’ lacrosse squad win the SCC title. The fall campaign featured more success with two state championships and five SCC titles for the Indians, including an undefeated season from the field hockey team. Let’s look back at the year that was for Guilford sports.
Winter
The Guilford fencing program added another chapter to its dynasty when the Indians’ boys’ and girls’ teams both finished in first place for the fourth-straight year at the Team State Championships this winter.
Both Guilford teams took the overall titles based on the cumulative performances of their foil, saber, and épée squads. The girls’ foil team earned a 5-0 win over Waterford in its championship match, while the girls’ saber team claimed the crown with a 5-4 victory versus Morgan. The girls’ épée squad fourth in its competition.
On the boys’ side, Guilford defeated Norwich Free Academy 5-1 in the foil final and saw its saber team post a 5-3 win against Darien in the championship. In épée, the Indians took a 5-1 loss to Woodland in the final.
The senior captains for the girls’ team were foilist Isabelle Labelle and sabre fencer Grace Beatty. The boys were led by senior captains Oscar Scott (épée), Leo Westgard (sabre), and Evan Schultes (foil). Prior to the Team Championships, Scott finished first for the épée competition at the Individual State Championships. Guilford’s head coach was Kyle Mezzi.
Senior Meredith Bloss took first place in the 3,200 at the Class L State Championship on behalf of the Guilford girls’ indoor track team. Bloss ran a time of 11:25.92 to win the event. Earlier in the postseason, Bloss won the 3,200 at the SCC West Sectional Championship (12:00.87) and the SCC Championship (11:49.87) to go with victories in the 1,600 at sectionals (5:33.14) and SCCs (5:36.28).
The Guilford boys’ ice hockey squad finished with a record of 15-8 while qualifying for the SCC/SWC Division II Tournament and the Division II State Tournament.
In the conference tourney, the Indians took a 5-4 defeat to Branford in the semifinals after losing by a 3-2 score on penalty shots. Then in states, Guilford notched a 5-1 win versus Amity in the first round before dropping a 4-3 decision to Farmington Valley in the quarterfinals.
Guilford’s top scorers on the season were senior captain John DeLucia, senior Jake Watrous, and junior Jack Dacey.
The Indians’ girls’ ice hockey team went 10-10 and earned a berth in the SCC South Division Tournament. Guilford took a 5-3 loss against Amity-North Haven-Cheshire in the first round of SCCs. Freshman Maddie Epke was the leading point scorer for the Indians.
The Guilford girls’ basketball team made the SCC and Class L State tournaments on their way to finishing at 10-13. Bob Welsh picked up his 100th career victory in this final season as head coach.
Guilford dropped a 39-34 decision to Amity in the first round of the SCC Tournament. In states, the Indians posted a 52-49 win over Foran in a first-round matchup and then lost a 58-35 contest to East Haven in the second round.
Senior Janie Danaher served as the senior captain for the Indians.
The Guilford wrestling squad saw four athletes advance to the title bouts of their respective weight classes at the SCC Championship. Freshman Drew Koval (106), freshman Ed Barlage (113), senior captain Keldon LaRose (132), and senior captain Vin Mascola (145) reached the finals at the SCC meet. LaRose went on to take third place at the Class M State Championship.
Spring
The Guilford girls’ lacrosse team claimed its first outright conference crown by earning an 11-10 overtime win versus Cheshire in the SCC Tournament final this spring. The Indians went on to reach Class M state semifinals and finish with a program-best record of 18-3.
After going 14-2 in the regular season, Guilford earned a 17-6 win versus Sheehan in the SCC semifinals to advance to the title game. Junior Cat Larrow scored with 11.8 seconds left in overtime to give the Indians the win versus Cheshire.
Then in the Class M State Tournament, the Indians notched wins over Hand (13-10) and Barlow (12-11 in overtime) and to make the semifinals, where they took a 14-10 defeat against St. Joseph.
Nicole Tepley was the senior captain for Head Coach Wendy Epke’s squad. Other key contributors were senior Nicolette Spotlow, senior Maddie Costantino, Larrow, junior Maggie Mandel, freshman Maddie Epke, and freshman goalie Sydney Widlitz.
The Indians’ boys’ lacrosse team reached the SCC final and the Class M state semifinals on its way to a mark of 16-5.
After earning a 17-7 win against Xavier in the SCC semifinals, Guilford took a 13-7 loss to Fairfield Prep in the championship game. In states, the Indians defeated Foran (18-4) and North Haven (11-3) in the first two rounds and then lost a 17-7 decision to New Fairfield in the semis.
John DeLucia led the charge as a senior captain for Guilford. Jack Dacey served as the team’s junior captain. Senior Miles Gabriel, Tyler Filley and junior Owen Nizolek also made big contributions.
The Guilford boys’ tennis squad finished with a record of 16-5 while qualifying for the SCC Tournament and the Class L State Championship.
In SCCs, the Indians dispatched Xavier by a 5-1 score in the quarterfinals and then took a 6-1 defeat against Hand in the semis. Guilford went on to finish in a tie for fifth place at the Class L State Championship.
Noah Horton and Erik Mastalerz led the Indians as the team’s senior captains. Junior Gianni Esposito posted a record of 18-5 at the No. 1 singles position, while fellow junior Alex Kagan went 16-3 at No. 2 singles.
The Guilford golf team finished at 14-4 en route to winning the SCC Division II title. The Indians also took fourth place at SCC Championship and finished tied for eighth at the Division II State Championship.
Junior John Kosh served as Guilford’s captain on the season.
Senior Meredith Bloss claimed victory in the 1,600 (5:27.94) and the 3,200 (11:52.26) while representing the Guilford girls’ outdoor track squad at the SCC Championship. Bloss also won the 1,600 (5:21.86) and the 3,200 (11:52.16) at the SCC East Sectional Championship the previous week.
The Guilford crew turned in a solid showing at the Connecticut Public School Rowing Association State Championships. The boys’ first varsity boat claimed first place with a time of 4:52.30 in the petit finals. For the girls’ crew, the novice boat came in second place in its final at 5:52.40.
The Guilford baseball squad had a strong second half on its way to a record of 13-10. The Indians qualified for both the SCC and Class L State tournaments.
Guilford dropped a 4-3, 11-inning decision against Hand in the SCC quarterfinals. In the state bracket, the Indians earned a 7-2 victory over East Haven before taking an 8-5 defeat to Hand .
Senior Jack Strand was the Indians’ senior captain. Junior Josh Wettemann and sophomore Jake Ciocca were also among the top players on the roster.
Summer
The Guilford 19-U AAU baseball team had a nice season that saw the squad go 6-4 and secure berth in the East Shore Travel League Playoffs. Guilford notched a 4-3 victory versus the Stratford Spartans in its first playoff game and then dropped a 15-11 decision against Connecticut Hank’s Yanks in the semifinal round.
Fall
The Guilford field hockey team put together a perfect season that saw the Indians finish with a record of 23-0. Guilford won both the SCC Tournament and the Class M State Tournament for the second-straight campaign on its way to going undefeated for the fall season.
In the SCC tourney, the Indians recorded wins against Hamden (7-1) and Hand (2-1) to advance to the championship, where they earned a 1-0 victory versus Amity. For the State Tournament, Guilford netted a 9-1 win over Avon, a 4-0 victory against South Windsor, and then a 6-1 win versus Branford in the semis to make the final. The Indians notched a 3-2 victory over Hand in the title bout to claim their fourth state championship in team history.
Ella Stanley and Jaime Neleber served as the senior captains for Head Coach Kitty Palmer’s squad. Junior Hannah Tillier was named the SCC co-Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the SCC final. Sophomore Maddie Epke was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the SCC Tournament. Senior Cat Larrow also made huge contributions for the Indians, who saw junior Eve Young and sophomore Julia McDonald play goalie during the season.
The Guilford girls’ soccer team had a magical campaign that saw the Indians claim conference and state championships. The Indians wound up finishing the year an overall mark of 18-2-4.
Guilford earned wins against Foran (1-0) and Mercy (1-0) in the SCC Tournament to advance to a championship showdown against Shelton. The Indians posted a 2-1 win versus the Gaels to secure their sixth SCC title in program history.
In the Class L State Tournament, Guilford defeated North Haven by a 2-0 score in first-round action and then netted a 2-1 (5-3 on penalty kicks) victory over Law in a second-round game. Guilford earned a 1-0 double-overtime win against Pomperaug in the quarterfinals, followed by a 2-1 (3-1 on penalty kicks) win versus Suffield in the semifinals, and a 2-1 victory over East Lyme in the championship game to win its ninth state title.
Gabi Garcia-Perez and Madison Gambardella led the Indians as their senior captains. Gambardella earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the SCC Tournament. Gambardella’s sister, Taylor Gambardella, was another top defender on the squad. Senior Claire Mackenzie played goal for the Indians throughout the year. Junior Lily Riccio scored the game-winning goal in the state final and was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.
Rick Geremia and Fred Franzoni served as interim co-head coaches for Guilford after Scott McMahon resigned as head coach following the SCC Tournament.
The Guilford boys’ soccer squad claimed its first conference title since 2009 and seventh overall by winning the SCC Tournament. Head Coach Curtis Gullette’s club also reached the Class M state semifinals and finished the year with an overall record of 15-2-6.
In SCCs, the Indians earned a 2-1 overtime victory versus Wilbur Cross in the quarterfinals, posted a 2-1 (4-2 on penalty kicks) win over Xavier in the semis, and then defeated Hand by a 1-0 score in the final. For states, Guilford beat Foran (1-0), Masuk (4-0), and Bristol Eastern (1-0) to advance to the semis. The Indians took a 2-1 defeat against Hand after losing by a 4-3 margin on penalty kicks.
Goalkeeper Josh Kosh was a senior captain for Guilford, while junior Aidan Buchanan served as a junior captain. Junior Anthony Ippolito scored the game-winning goal against Cross in the SCC quarterfinals and also the lone goal of the game when Guilford beat Hand in the final. Ippolito was named the Most Outstanding Player of the SCC Tournament. Junior Niall O’Brien was another one of the Indians’ key players.
The Guilford volleyball squad won its first SCC title since 1994 and then advanced to the final of the Class M State Tournament. The Indians finished with a record of 23-4 on the year.
Guilford notched a 3-0 win versus East Haven in the SCCs quarterfinals, a 3-1 win over Law in the semifinals, and a 3-2 victory against Shelton in the championship match. The Indians rallied for a 25-11, 15-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-10 win over the Gaels to take the title.
In the state bracket, Guilford defeated Hand (3-0), Platt (3-0), and Woodstock Academy (3-2) to make the final, where the Indians took a 3-0 loss to Avon.
Eva Ott Hill was the senior captain for Head Coach Laura Anastasio’s squad. Emma Appleman and Juliet Young served as junior captains. Junior Emily Brouder also had a big year for the Indians.
The Guilford girls’ cross country team enjoyed a 9-0 season that saw the Indians win the SCC Hammonasset Division title. Guilford went on to capture its third-straight conference crown by finishing in first place at the SCC Championship and then came in fourth place at the Class MM State Championship.
Senior captain Clara Wiesler finished third at both the SCC (20:27) and Class MM (20:21) meets. Sophomore Olivia Skapczynski, senior Emma Bonz, and sophomores Katrina Muhs and Julia Antony also scored points for the Indians at SCCs to help Head Coach Jim Ford's squad take the title.
The Indians’ boys’ cross country squad went 9-0 on its way to claiming the SCC Hammonasset Division crown. Guilford followed that up by taking second place at the SCC Championship and third place in the Class MM State Championship.
Senior Ben Crair finished fifth at the SCC meet (17:24) and then placed ninth at states (17:01) for the Indians.
The Guilford girls’ swimming team had a landmark campaign that saw the Indians pick up their first wins in program history and ultimately finish with a record of 7-6.
Alex Mayo had a big senior season for the Indians. Mayo finished fourth in the 200 freestyle at the SCC Championship with a school-record time of 1:57.62 and then broke her own record when she won the event at the Class M State Championship by swimming a time of 1:56.48. Mayo also finished third in the 100 freestyle (53.82) at the state meet.
The Guilford football team finished with a record of 4-6. Senior Charles Walcott rushed for 1,541 yards and 17 touchdowns for first-year Head Coach Anthony Salvati's squad.