Local roundup: Saints women’s soccer coach Vagnini given interim title for men’s team

Steve Vagnini’s workload with the St. Clair Saints has been doubled.

The 56-year-old Vagnini returned to guide the women’s program in 2022 and has now taken on the title of interim head coach for the men’s team following the retirement of head coach Mike Baraslievski earlier this month after 31 seasons.

“Just basically going to mirror what I do with the women,” Vagnini said of the dual role.

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Anthony Santilli will also take on working with both teams as goalie coach for both the women’s team and the men’s team. As well, Vagnini has added Massimo Pollard and Gianni Ferri to the men’s coaching staff.

Pollard just completed his post-secondary career with the Saints while Ferri played four seasons at Michigan State University.

“I’m excited to do both because I have a very young and experienced coaching crew in Ferri and Pollard and having Santilli is the cherry on top of the cake,” Vagnini said. “The (OCAA) Final Four is our goal every year because that allows us to compete for gold.”

Spitfires hire Maggio

Rob Maggio is rejoining the Windsor Spitfires as the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

Maggio, who is the father of former Spitfires captain and OHL scoring champion Matthew Maggio, previously held the post with the Spitfires from 1998-2008.

“This role is integral to the development of our players,” Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler said in a release. “Rob is familiar with the organization and we can’t wait to get him started.”

Maggio has spent the past 12 years as the head strength and conditioning coach for the St. Clair College Saints.

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“I’m incredibly excited to be back in the gym, helping our players reach their peak performance,” Maggio said in a release.

Junior golf opener

The Unico Primo Junior Golf Tour, which previously was known as the Jamieson Junior Golf Tour, held its first event of the season at Seven Lakes.

Kingsville’s Cale Marontate, who is headed to St. Clair College in the fall, shot an impressive four-under par 67 to capture the junior boys’ division. He finished three shots ahead of Kingsville’s Lucas DeLorenzi, who shot one-under par 70.

Kingsville’s Kevin Teichroeb won the collegiate men’s division with an even-par 71. That left him four shots clear of Austin Brancaccio, who finished second with a four-over par 75.

The University of Windsor’s Kennedy Fremlin shot 81 to claim top spot in the collegiate women’s division with Windsor teammate Molly Harris and St. Clair’s Justine Gotham tied for second at 83.

Maple City’s Haylee Crawley won the junior girls’ division with a 78 with Alyssa Cowling finishing second with an 81.

jpparker@postmedia.com

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