Boys golf team 2-1 as season begins

The Newton High School boys golf team started its 2024 campaign with two victories in its first three matches.

After losing, 159-182, to Pope John on Monday, March 25, the Braves defeated Sparta, 166-171, on Tuesday, March 26 at the Farmstead Golf & Country Club in Lafayette.

Cooper Armstrong shot a round-low 35 followed by CJ Nicholas (41), Nick Deiorio (44), Bruno Groth (46), Nick Kurilko (51) and Andrew Niemynski (53).

The next day, Newton defeated Hopatcong, 162-191, at Farmstead, led by Armstrong (38), Nicholas (38), Groth (43), Deiorio (43), Niemynski (56) and Tommy Phillips (56).

The Newton girls also opened their season last week, with the Braves falling, 264-271, to Sparta on March 26 at the Newton Country Club.

Lina Brunelle shot a team-low 65 and was followed by Kameko Sibbles (68), Olivia Costella (69), Kayla Dione (69) and Luci Munoz (70).

Here is look at other spring sports teams:

Baseball

Newton, looking to improve on last year’s 8-14 record, returns junior Ryan Bollette (15 hits, nine walks) and Maxwell Maslowski (19 hits, nine runs, eight RBI).

The Braves, under head coach Scott Zymet, will play at Hackettstown at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 4 before playing host to Kittatinny at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6.

Softball

The Braves went 10-13 last season but finished in second place in the Colonial Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference with a 7-3 mark.

Seniors Katie Golder-Ryan (25 hits, 19 RBI, 12 runs), Catherine Vena (27 hits, 23 RBI, 14 runs, five doubles, two home runs) and Melissa Fehr (99 strikeouts) and sophomore Bella Deleon (22 hits, 18 RBI, 23 runs, five doubles 11 stolen bases) return for head coach Paul Filan.

Newton will play host to Hackettstown at 10 a.m. April 4 before hosting Wallkill Valley at 10 a.m. April 6.

Boys lacrosse

Newton is slated to play at Kinnelon at 4 p.m. April 4 before playing at Morris Hills at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9.

The Braves did well to finish 5-2 and in third place in the Pooley Division of the NJILL a year ago, when they fashioned a 10-9 final record.

Sophomore Max Faye (30 goals, 27 assists), junior Ty Guzzo (46 goals, 23 assists) and seniors Brenden Lynch (19 goals, 18 assists) and Evan Parker (10 goals, 10 assists) are back for head coach David Gallucci.

Boys tennis

The Braves are scheduled to play at Kittatinny at 4 p.m. April 4.

A year ago, Newton went 10-6 overall and 8-4 in the High Point Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference, good for third place.

Senior Frankie Lubrano and junior Ed Denne are returning from last season’s lineup.

Outdoor track

The boys and girls outdoor track squads will compete against Hopatcong there at 4:45 p.m. Monday, April 8.