Athlete of the Week: Gavin Kvadus

Following a solid season on the links as a sophomore, Glastonbury High School junior Gavin Kvadus took his game to another level this fall. 
           
Head coach Tom Zelek said Kvadus returned as a more polished golfer and seasoned leader, calling him a “student of the game.”
           
“He’s improved in all aspects of his game. He’s at a whole different level than most players out there, both mentally and physically,” added Zelek, who named Kvadus a team captain. “We needed someone that could take that leadership role and he has a rapport with the other kids. He is now a role model for the other kids to look up to.” 
           
With an extra year of golf under his belt, Kvadus produced outstanding results from day one. He finished the 2022 regular season as a top-ten golfer statistically in the state and then tied atop the leaderboard at the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) championships on Oct. 20.
           
Assuming the team’s lead role as both a player and a captain was something that Kvadus learned from 2022-graduates Conner Goode and Charlie Dolan, who are currently playing golf collegiately at the University of Connecticut and McDaniel College in Maryland, respectively.
           
“They showed me what it really means to be a leader. You could see how much older and more mature they were than me at the time and now I’ve really tried to mold myself into that role,” stated Kvadus, who also leaned on current seniors Jared D’Angelo and Sean Sullivan this fall. “As a junior I’m held to a higher standard when it comes to maturity. Now I’m trying to set a standard on how we act out on the course.”
           
Consistency is one of Kvadus’ strengths. He finished as the medalist or co-medalist in 12 of the team’s 16 meets this fall, shooting a season-best 33 against New Britain on Oct. 11 and posted a round of 34 three other times.
           
Kvadus also was the co-medalist in the team’s upset victory over Fairfield Prep on Sept. 29, tying the state’s no. 4 ranked golfer, Robbie Rosati, atop the leaderboard. 
           
Fairfield, who would finish as the top-ranked team in the regular season, was undefeated before hosting the Guardians the Patterson Club.    
           
“None of our kids had ever played there before,” recalled Zelek. “The kids went in there with the right attitude and the course was gorgeous.”
           
Despite playing the course for the first time, Kvadus shot a 38 as the Guardians defeated the Jesuits on their home course by two strokes.  
           
“I was proud of myself, but I was more proud at how the team played,” recalled Kvadus. “It showed us that we can play at the high level and beat the better teams in the state.” 
           
Zelek said it is Kvadus’ dedication in the offseason that has contributed to his success.
           
“He has improved steadily every year. He plays summer golf and puts the time and effort into his game. He takes it very seriously,” said. Zelek 
           
At the CCC finals, Kvadus battled cold and windy conditions to tie with three other golfers, posting a (+2) 73 over the 18 holes at Stanley Golf Course in New Britain. The highlight was an eagle that Kvadus sank on the 6th hole when he chipped in his second shot on a par-four.   
           
Zelek stated that playing in the adverse conditions made Kvadus’ score even more impressive, adding, “Gavin proved himself once again as one of the best high school golfers in the state.”
           
The Guardians finished in 5th place out of 15 teams involved. D’Angelo, Zachary Durant, and sophomore Thomas Derek completed the team scoring for in the conference finals.  
           
“I’m proud of how we represented Glastonbury as all scores were higher under the challenging conditions,” added Zelek. “The team gained a lot of experience as they played with very talented players from throughout our conference.”
           
For Kvadus, the success has been great. But it’s his expanded mentorship role that he’s embraced. That role will only increase next year when he will head a strong senior class that will include Durant, Dylan Goode, Michael Litke, and Stephan Crouse.
           
“Gavin knows a lot of thing and I’ve heard on a numerous of occasions helping the kids out and the kids are receptive because they know how good he is and how knowledgeable he is,” said Zelek.  
           
Kvadus added, “It’s been fun for me to help them out with whatever they need on the course. To see them execute that and see their scores go lower, that’s really cool for me.”