Riverhead’s Baran and Marshak card best finishes in school history at states

Only 18 golfers from Suffolk County make it to the New York State championship: nine girls and nine boys. Riverhead, for the second straight year, sent a representative from each side, Colby Baran and Madison Marshak.

But just being there wasn’t enough for the two Blue Waves; they left with school records in tow.

“It’s a testament to the program we’ve been building here,” coach Steve Failla said. “They don’t settle for anything less, and to be one of the best in Suffolk County is a major accomplishment for us.”

Senior Colby has made the state tournament for three consecutive years, which had never been done before in Riverhead golf history. Madison, a sophomore, made it for her second year in a row as she looks to shatter every record in sight while she progresses through her career.

Baran spearheaded a boys’ golf program that has continually excelled within division play every year he’s been on the team. Riverhead has won six straight league championships, and Baran has been leading the team for five of them. 

“That’s not someone you can replace,” Failla said. “He’s put in the work to get to where he is. He’s super confident in his play, and he finished his Blue Wave career at a high point.”

The senior lefty traveled upstate to Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville on June 7 and 8 to play against the best of the best. Baran has been the epitome of consistency over the years and put that on display in the championship rounds.

After shooting a 74 (+3) in the opening round, Baran followed that up with a 75 (+4) in the final round to secure not only his best finish — 18th — but also the best finish out of any Riverhead golfer in history at the New York State championships, where 99 golfers qualified.

“I’ve never seen him so relaxed and locked in,” Failla said. “He’s been here before. It was his last high school tournament ever. He just went out there and enjoyed it. We played a few rounds leading up to it, and he was just in a great mental space.”

Before his senior year, his best finish was last year when he finished 30th in the state tournament. 

As impressive as Baran’s tenure as a Blue Wave has been, Marshak’s trajectory may outpace the senior.

“This is no knock to Colby, but Colby has always wanted to be the best around here,” Failla said. “Madison wants to be the best in the country.”

The proof is in the pudding.

Since joining varsity in her seventh-grade year, Marshak has continually improved. She finished 10th in the Suffolk County tournament during her eighth-grade year, just one stroke short of qualifying for states back then. In her freshman season, she qualified for states with a seventh-place finish. This season, she finished in second place and shot a career-best 77 (+4) in the final round.

“She works extremely hard at her game every day,” Failla said. “Second place is not good enough for her. She wants first, and she is capable of getting first any day out there. She has that killer mentality that every athlete needs.”

In the state championships, held at Wild Wood Country Club in Rush, New York, on June 7 and 8, Marshak produced her best result yet. After shooting an 87 in the first round, the sophomore locked in on the final day, shooting a career-best 74 (+2) and securing a 31st-place finish in the championship, the best finish of any Riverhead girls’ golfer in history.

“Mountain golf is a lot different than golf here on the island,” Failla said. “I think on day one, it was mostly my fault for giving her too much information. I stepped back on day two, and she had her best round ever.”

As the two golfers were preparing for the championships, Failla was contacted by management for the golf courses in the area.

“They offered their golf courses for our kids to play on,” he said. “The Vineyards is a lot like Mill Creek with the fescue, and Great Rock is our best simulation to mountain golf. They were like, ‘Anything we can do to help, let us know.’ We’re blessed to have the support of our local golf courses, school management, and community. It’s truly amazing.”