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Boys golf: Waubonsie Valley claims Aurora city crown

Aurora Christian was on the cusp of its first title in the decades-long history of the Aurora City Championship after Brett Seward came in with a sensational 67 for medalist honors.

But major boys golf tournaments have six-man rosters for a reason.

The Eagles still enjoyed a 6-shot cushion at Phillips Park Golf Course on Wednesday afternoon after the first four players finished.

But Waubonsie Valley fifth-man Nathan Martahan was level-par on his inward nine to post a 74.

The Warriors threw out an 82 as a result, and Waubonsie Valley denied Aurora Christian, 305-307, for its first city championship in four years.

Marmion was third at 309, with Metea Valley, West Aurora and Aurora Central Catholic carding respective scores of 331,332 and 345.

"It's always great when we come back to Phillips Park," said Waubonsie Valley coach Eric Flodberg. "I think it radiates on all the players."

"We're all familiar with the course due to its location to school," said Waubonsie Valley senior leader Jack Troy, who was 1-under on his home nine to finish third overall with a 73.

"I live five minutes from here," Martahan said. "I play here all the time with my friends."

The Waubonsie Valley program has long enjoyed a nurturing relationship with Phillips Park through the First-Tee Program.

But execution in the sport is necessary to complement course knowledge.

"I knew (Aurora Christian was) a very good team," Martahan said of the Class 1A state power. "I was just looking to shoot something in the 70s and be consistent."

Troy made the turn at 3-over par, only to discover bogey was never in the equation on his back nine.

Counting the apron, Troy putted 18 times on his inward nine.

Reaching the dance floor in two on the par-5 18th hole, Troy had yet another simple 2-putt for a closing birdie and third-place individual honors.

"I knew the front nine was harder than the back," Troy said. "I was going with the flow. I kept 2-putting every hole for par. I got into trouble off the tee on the last couple of holes but was able to get to the green. I played my iron shots really well."

Will Troy, the Warriors' freshman standout, augmented his older brother with a more-than-respectable 77. Cade Kenyon completed the Warriors' team total with an 81.

"(The city tournament) is really where the season is going to start for us," Flodberg said. "We really needed this win, especially after some tough (DuPage Valley) Conference losses recently."

Nick Zagurski led Metea Valley with a 79.

"I putted really well," the junior said. "That was the thing. It shaved off a lot of strokes."

The difference between a historic program victory for Aurora Christian and a hard-to-stomach defeat was the 12-shot differential Waubonsie Valley gained with the third and fourth players.

Aurora Christian was sitting pretty with the collective 140 after Seward backed up an equally solid performance by top-rated Devin Johnson.

One of three players to fire a 2-over 73, Johnson was fourth overall.

But Seward has solidified his status as leading Class 1A state contender after twin back-to-back birdie sequences brought him home in 32.

"I was hitting some really good shots," Seward said. "I was hitting them close all day and rolling in the putts."

Having the advantage of playing on his home course, Seward made the turn in 1-under 35; his lone blemish on No. 10 was quickly negated by the first of consecutive back-nine birdies.

"I know the course very well," Seward said. "I know the nuances."

Like Waubonsie Valley, Marmion has a shared penchant for mastering Phillips Park.

Returning Class 3A state qualifier Nick Huggins was runner-up to Seward with a level-par 71 for the Cadets.

"The game plan for the back nine was to keep hitting it like I was hitting it," Huggins said after making the turn in 1-under. "I don't think my game was at its best, but I can't complain about a 71."

West Aurora sophomore Ryan Vanderway, the reigning Upstate Eight Valley champion, was another player who made the turn at 36 or better.

Vanderway had routine pars on the 7 back-nine holes he reached in regulation, but consecutive missed up-and-downs on Nos. 12 and 13 resulted in a fifth-place 73.

"It was a setback," Vanderway said of the two very makable par putts. "I haven't been putting that great lately. Seventy-three is a good score for me."

For West Aurora coach Jay Bauer, it was the last of his 24 city championships.

"It's kind of bittersweet," Bauer said. "(City has) been a great experience. On the one hand, it's kind of sad. On the other, it's turning another leaf."

Mac Cowen had a 75 to pace Aurora Central Catholic.

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