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Mundelein, Warren advance to sectional

The wait was excruciating.

Warren's boys golf team will attest that it was all worth it, however.

"It's exciting and scary at the same time because of the anticipation waiting to see if you're going to make it or not," Blue Devils sophomore Karl Tolentino said following the Class 3A Warren regional at Bittersweet Golf Course in Gurnee on Tuesday.

Warren had to wait a while for the last four scores to come in to determine its fate. When it was all said and done, the Blue Devils had punched their ticket to the Rockford East sectional next Monday at Elliot Golf Course in Rockford.

Lake Forest won the regional with a 309, while Mundelein (314) was second. Warren (320) secured the third and final sectional berth by edging fourth-place Carmel Catholic by one stroke. Libertyville (326) was fifth in the 10-team field.

It marked the first time in school history that Warren advanced out of regionals as a team.

"We've talked about it (getting through to sectionals as a team) for a while, and the guys really embraced it," Warren coach Mike Wittes said. "It hasn't sunk in yet. But the guys deserve this. They worked hard this fall on their games."

Tolentino shot a 2-over-par 74 to finish third. It was his lowest 18-hole round this fall. He made 1 birdie, while hitting 15 greens in regulation on the 6,751-yard layout.

"I just tried not to dwell on any bad shots or bad holes," Tolentino said, "and not let the tension get to me."

Warren also counted the rounds of Zane Blevins (79), Orlando Avila (80) and Ray Cordova (87).

Carmel junior Tyler Anderson was the medalist with a sparkling 1-under 71.

"I came out and practiced over the weekend on spots to land the ball," said Anderson, who carded 4 birdies. "I hit my drives really straight and that was a big key for me today. My game is getting there. Hopefully I can put it all together these next couple of weeks. I've got a lot of confidence after today."

Mundelein will return to the sectional for the third year in a row.

"We're pretty excited to get out (of regionals) again," said Mustangs coach Todd Parola, whose team had won back-to-back regional championships. "We had great balance with five guys shooting in the 70s. We didn't play our best, but we played well enough so that we can have an opportunity next week."

Mundelein was led by Tyler White and Nick Chuma, both of whom carded 78s, and Brett Parola and Ryan Magee, each of whom carded 79s.

Lake Forest, fresh off its North Suburban Conference title last week, was led by sophomore Scott Frevert's even-par 72, good for a second-place medal.

"I played pretty well and made a lot of up-and-downs," said Frevert, who was the medalist last week at conference. "I like where our team is at right now, and we have some good momentum heading into next week."

Also figuring into the Scouts' scoring was Connor Polender (77), Jason Folker (79), and Ale Raganelli and Jed Thomas, each with 81s.

Carmel also advanced Mike Roy (82), Jack Herron (83) and Riley Ley, who fired an 85 and earned his spot by winning the first hole of sudden death with a par.

Libertyville will send three individuals to Rockford. The Cats were led by Mitch Kenston (77), George Frangos (79) and Jacob Mueller, who also shot 85 and advanced along with Ley after making par on the first hole of sudden death.

Other individual sectional qualifiers included Grayslake Central's Michael Murdy (78) and Michael Sisk (83), and Grayslake North's Adam Baker (82).

  Grayslake Central's Michael Murdy tees off on No. 5 during the Warren regional Tuesday at Bittersweet Golf Club in Gurnee. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Libertyville's Jacob Mueller tries to coax his ball to slow down after putting on the second hole during the Warren boys golf regional tournament Tuesday at Bittersweet Golf Club in Gurnee. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Grayslake North's Adam Baker, left, watches his shot on the ninth hole as Warren's Karl Tolentino watches during the Warren regional Tuesday at Bittersweet Golf Club in Gurnee. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Warren golfer Karl Tolentino hits onto the ninth green during the Warren regional Tuesday at Bittersweet Golf Club in Gurnee. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Mundelein golfer Ryan Magee tees off on the second hole during the Warren regional Tuesday at Bittersweet Golf Club in Gurnee. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Carmel golfer Tyler Anderson putts on the ninth hole during the Warren regional Tuesday at Bittersweet Golf Club in Gurnee. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
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