Sophomore Lucas Vincenti is a WHS hockey and golf player.
At just four years old, his grandpa Richie Vincenti introduced him to the game of golf. It started with simply putting on his porch, but that sparked a lifelong love for the sport.
His passion for golf runs deep, thanks to his other grandfather, Warren Costedio: “When I would go to Massachusetts, we would go to the driving range”. “He also bought me my first pair of golf shoes and a few golf clubs when I was first getting into it.”
Over the years, he played golf casually, but last year he put in his full effort for the sport.
One of the things Vincenti loves about the sport is that it allows him to balance his passion for golf and his academic life and responsibilities. Vincenti said, “Balancing school with golf is pretty easy because golf isn’t very time consuming.”
In spite of this claim, Lucas practices this spring from 3PM to 5PM and then stays until 8PM. He also plays for over ten hours on the weekends.
“I take advantage of my study halls so I won’t have to do homework when I get home.”
Vincenti attributes some of his golf success to his coach, Mrs. Pesko. “Having Mrs Pesko as a coach is amazing. She really sees a lot in me and I wouldn’t be where I am now without her encouragement and the opportunities she has brought me.”
Pesko says, “His passion for the game of golf is evident in the way he approaches every practice session and match with unwavering determination and a positive attitude.”
She says, “His “obsession” with the game is contagious; he often recruits his teammates to join him in practice sessions or golf rounds outside of school hours. Lucas’s dedication and leadership to the team led him to be named captain of the golf team this season.”
Overall Vincenti is portrayed as a dedicated, passionate, and inspirational leader who values integrity and sportsmanship on and off the golf course. His leadership qualities make him a valuable asset to the team and a role model to his peers.
Looking ahead, Vincenti dreams of playing golf in college. He thinks it’s likely that if he plays at a higher level it will help him maintain his love for the sport.
Teammate Ethan Haynes says, “I’d say Lucas is one of the more consistent players that our opponents play against.”
Haynes also says “Lucas also beat some of the top players in the ECC.”
While golf has become his primary focus, hockey has also been a big part of his life. Vincenti grew up watching the sport, but didn’t start playing until sixth grade.
However, as much as he loves hockey, he realized that his potential in golf far outweighed that in hockey: “If I’m lucky enough to go pro, I would only play hockey on the side for fun with my friends, but I would love it if I got to play hockey my whole life”.
Whether on the golf course or the hockey rink, these sports have taught Vincenti valuable lessons on dedication, persistence, and the importance of pursuing your dreams.
