Red Devils hold off Hilltoppers
The Batavia Invitational routinely attracts an elite boys golf field, and it was the Fox Valley Country Club that felt the brunt of the latest assault on par.
Hinsdale Central sophomore Sean Marquardt is the Red Devils' fifth-rated player, and yet the depth of the defending team champions was as evident as the collective talent of the field.
John Lewis and Chris Meyer fired a 74 and 76, respectively, for Hinsdale Central, and their scores were discarded like the spring trash as Marquardt toured the North Aurora par-72 layout in 4-under 68.
Jordan Gold was also in red figures for Hinsdale Central with a 71, while Brett Tomfohrde and Theo Lederhausen posted matching 73s to give the Red Devils a 3-under-par team total of 285.
Glenbard West, the Red Devils' irascible rival from the West Suburban Silver, had Leo Karris' 71 to lead four equally noteworthy scores.
But the Hilltoppers were left in the bridesmaid role for a second straight year, even though their 293 total was framed by a level-par 72 from Jake Tolliver, a 74 by Jeff Davis and 76 by Shane Bryant.
"That's some nice shooting," said Hinsdale Central coach Jess Krueger, whose squad meets Glenbard West on Wednesday in Glen Ellyn for a critical showdown. "We have struggled a little in our duals, but we're constantly playing well in the tournaments."
It was a banner day for scoring on the rain-softened greens at Fox Valley; there were 17 individual scores of 73 or better, and six teams were at 300 or less.
Naperville North eclipsed the magical 300 barrier for the second time this season, but the Huskies' 297 total was mere consolation in the latest onslaught at Fox Valley, a course featuring several reachable par-4s off the tee and par-5s in two.
Matt Lohmeyer and Ben Nelson had 3-under-par nine-hole scores for Naperville North in posting respective rounds of 72 and 73; Chris Collander duplicated the round of Nelson in a more conventional manner, and Eric Longergan had a 79 to complete the Huskies' team score.
"It's hard to believe we're 1-2 in the conference (DuPage Valley dual meets)," said Naperville North coach Ryan Hantak. "We have good potential. When we all play together, we're a great team."
Russell Katz is not only a two-time state qualifier for Downers Grove North, but the senior was not even the low man for the Trojans with a 74.
Tyler Blake earned that distinction with a 5-birdie round that resulted in a career-low 70, third overall and helped propel the third West Suburban Silver powerhouse to fifth as a team at 299.
"I played smart -- that was the key -- and I was aggressive," Blake said.
Benet had to settle for an even-300 as Mike Kenning and Adam Kirkenheimer posted 74s, which were augmented by a 75 from John Callahan and 77 from Kris Chin, only to find its season low consigned to sixth place.
"We have a good team," said Benet coach Dan Nagis.
Wheaton Warrenville South, with Steve Skurla and Shawn Plepel firing identical 74s, settled for 10th, one spot better than Waubonsie Valley, which received a 73 from Matt Nied.
Montini, Glenbard South, Wheaton North and Lake Park were in the bottom half of the 30-team field.