CHS golfers capture first-ever Division 2 state title
By Mike Berger
Bulldog golfers Harrison Weitz, Joey Ryan, Mason Wachtendonk, Cam Washburn, Teddy Shuman and Chase Thomas and head coach Mike Barucci accept the Division 2 state championship trophy. (Photo courtesy of CHS Golf)
For the first time in program history, the Canton High golf team has been crowned MIAA state champions following its impressive team victory at the Division 2 state championship tournament held at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown.
Carrying momentum from their dominant win at this year’s D2 North sectionals, the Bulldogs rode the hot hands of freshman Chase Thomas and senior Mason Wachtendonk to produce a combined team total of 324 — besting Masconomet Regional and Nauset Regional by three strokes to claim the championship trophy. Rounding out the top five were Scituate (329), Nashoba Regional (330) and Tantasqua Regional (330).
“I am so proud of them!” exclaimed head coach Mike Barucci. “It was a beautiful but very difficult course, going up against some of the best teams in the state. Every one of our golfers has worked so hard for this. They played some of the best golf of their life at the end of this season.”
Barucci said the Bulldogs’ performance on Tuesday was the perfect microcosm of what made this year’s group so special. “Our team depth won us this state championship,” he said. “Even when our top player didn’t have his best day, our other guys stepped up, just as we did all season.”
Canton’s top golfer on the day was Thomas, who shot a four-over-par 76 on the 18-hole course — tied for the fourth lowest score in a field of more than 100 competitors. Wachtendonk, fresh off his runner-up finish at the D2 North meet, had another great day on the course as he tied for 12th overall with an eight-over 79. Teddy Shuman (84) and Harrison Weitz (85) rounded out the top four scores for the Bulldogs.
For Barucci, the past few weeks marks a new high point in a coaching career filled with successes, including a run of five consecutive Hockomock Davenport titles (2017-21), two sectional crowns, and a state runner-up finish in 2021. All told, Barucci-led teams have combined for a record of 135-42, including an 11-3 mark this season that was good for second place in the Davenport Division.
While they didn’t have their best showing at the Hockomock Championship meet, settling for fifth out of 12 teams, the Bulldogs always knew what they were capable of and went into the postseason determined to show they belonged.
“Winning a state championship in golf is extremely difficult,” noted Barucci. “You need to play your best on one day and there is no room for error. I’m just so proud of what they did.”
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Posted by Mike Berger
on Oct 31 2025. Filed under High School, Sports.
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