WV sneaks by both STC schools

The unpredictability of boys golf in the Upstate Eight Conference reached new heights Thursday afternoon in St. Charles.

With neither an iota of collective knowledge regarding the layout at St. Charles Country Club nor one of the three co-medalists, Waubonsie Valley still found a way turn back the two St. Charles programs.

The Warriors' Patrick Wright proved to be the difference; the senior posted a 43 to break a 163-163 deadlock with St. Charles East.

St. Charles North missed out on the tie-breaking procedure by two strokes.

"(Wednesday in a 154-155 loss to Neuqua Valley) we learned that every stroke counts," said Waubonsie Valley coach Dave Owles. "This is my eighth year (coaching golf at Waubonsie). I can't remember beating both (St. Charles high schools) in the same year. You have to be happy with that."

The Warriors improved to 3-1 overall and in the league; St. Charles East is 5-2, 3-1, and the host North Stars fell to 2-2, 2-2.

The Saints held the early advantage when their top two players -- senior Chris Niemiec and sophomore Wes Apple -- posted matching 38s, which the North Stars' Matt Sprengel later duplicated for the low rounds of the afternoon.

But Waubonsie Valley responded with consistency, using a 40 from freshman Josh Stefanski and 41 by Chris Gregg.

Paul Asheim sustained the Warriors' momentum with a 42, and fifth-man Matt Nied closed strong with a 4-over 40 to put Waubonsie Valley at 163.

The Saints, meanwhile, posted a 43 and 44, respectively, from Tyler Deetjen and Brad Weiss for their final pair of counting scores.

With the score deadlocked, St. Charles East had its first league blemish as a trio of Saints posted no better than a 46.

It was a particularly frustrating day for Niemiec, the Saints' top gun who has already captured one invitational and led the squad to the team title at Bartonville Limestone.

"I didn't play very well," said Neimiec. "I went OB (out of bounds) on the easiest hole on the course. I couldn't get (any approach shots) close."

"There are lots of good teams," said St. Charles East coach John Stock. "The conference is very strong. On any given night, it's a shot here or there."

For St. Charles North, senior No. 1 player Greg Wiitanen fired a 41, and Matt Schroeder and Chris Thomas had 43s to augment the play of Sprengel, the North Stars' third man.

"I kept my drives in the fairway," said Sprengel. "I played a good mental game."