Fremd's Isoda shoulders high expectations

Zach Isoda wasn't about to let shoulder surgery prevent him from achieving his goals.

As a matter of fact, it may have guided the Fremd junior golfer to his future career path.

Several years ago, Isoda dislocated his shoulder diving for a ball while playing baseball. When he injured the same shoulder again earlier this year, he found out surgery was required.

But instead of getting the junior down, he became interested in entering the medical field as a course of study.

“It was after the second injury that I became interested in medicine as a career,” said Isoda, who has been outstanding as a prep golfer his first two seasons for the Vikings.

And after recuperating for a few months, Isoda was able to begin playing golf again during the summer. He competed in a couple of tournaments and now, starting the high school season, says he's 100 percent.

Fremd coach Josh Teschner, who has watched Isoda excel already at practice this year, agrees.

“His golf game is right back where it was pre-surgery,” said Teschner. “That's a tribute to his love of the game and his dedication to our team goals. We took 10th in state last year, and he's made no secret that he wants to help us get back to the state tourney and take home some hardware.

“I know he has the interest in studying medicine, and I know at some point he also wants to get into politics. He says he wants to be a senator.”

Lofty goals, to be sure, but getting to the IHSA state boys golf tournament is a pretty lofty goal as well. Isoda and his teammates achieved that objective last year by getting out of sectionals to advance to the state meet at the “Den” in Bloomington.

Isoda got some varsity experience as a freshman as a midseason call-up. He improved to become one of the top sophomores in the state last year, as evidenced by his 38th-place overall individual finish at state.

Even with the stellar finish, he says he “could have done better” at Bloomington, but also looks at the meet as a learning experience.

“It was cool to be down there with so many talented golfers,” said Isoda, who electrified the fans in Bloomington by recording his first hole-in-one at the Fox Creek Course.

The ace couldn't have come on a more pressure-packed stage, and it actually gave Isoda the tournament lead at one point during Day 1 of the two-day event.

“It was a great feeling,” Isoda said of the ace and the exemplary performance. “It was especially gratifying to play so well in front of my family and teammates.”

Isoda also was victorious at a prestigious 18-hole tourney at Shepherd's Crook in Zion in 2010. His talents helped lead the Vikings to not only the state appearance but an impressive 10-1 Mid-Suburban

League season, where they lost only to eventual MSL champion Barrington.

And it's not only his golf skills but also his leadership abilities that make a strong impression on his coach.

“Zach is a tremendously gifted golfer and athlete,” said Teschner, “but what sets him apart is his attitude on and off the course. He takes

adversity in stride.

“He's an incredible student, is a strong leader, and is respected by his teammates. Zach is one of the top players in our conference and possibly one of the top players in the state.”

Isoda says his swing is back to where it was before surgery and he's working now to strengthen his short game.

And with a strong contingent of teammates in 2011, including outstanding sophomore Josh Rosenzweig, there could be no limit to Fremd's success this year.

Which could possibly include a trip back to the “Den.”

“That's my goal this year — to get back to state,” said Isoda. “If we play as well as I know we can play, we'll be right back there this season.”