Wheaton Academy 7th after first day
BLOOMINGTON -- Blake Biddle was hoping for a better day in opening-round action of the boys Class 2A finals at the Weibring Golf Center in Normal.
"Eighteen of my 21 rounds this season have been even-par or better," said Biddle, the sophomore standout for Wheaton Academy.
The St. Charles resident started off hot, recording a pair of birdies on his opening three holes, but he was unable to maintain the momentum in the crisp, autumn air Friday.
"It's one of those courses where you are penalized for a decently bad shot," said Biddle, after leading the Warriors with a 5-over-par 76. "My short game usually keeps my round going but not today."
Sectional champion David Flynn was one behind his classmate with a 77, and Bobby Gryfinski added the Warriors' third score with an 81.
When senior Austin Hall came home with an 86, Wheaton Academy was in seventh place in the 10-team field with a 320.
Normal U-High, which has won four consecutive state titles, was collectively 3-over par to take a commanding first-day lead with a 287.
"I'm a little disappointed honestly (with our team score)," said Wheaton Academy coach Bob Broman. "We know we can play much better than that. The opportunity to move up certainly exists."
For the five local individuals competing as at-large qualifiers, Timothy Christian senior Andrew Woodhull fired a pair of 39s to lead the quintet with a 78.
St. Francis' Mike Segneri was at 82, and Driscoll senior Joe Gattone fired an 85.
Montini senior Anthony Blashewski had nine-hole rounds of 43 and 41 to finish with an 84.
"(The par-71 layout) is a lot longer than what we're used to and the greens are a lot faster," Blashewski said.
At the Class 3A tournament at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, St. Viator, the reigning Class AA runner-up, has a perilous 300-301 lead over Quincy after the first day.
Hinsdale Central was third at 307, and Barrington was in the mix with a 311.
The Red Devils' Brett Tomfohrde led five players in the 70s with a 1-over-par 73, which left him three behind the individual pace of Barrington senior Ross Frankenberg.
"Bad day -- still close," said Hinsdale Central coach Jess Krueger. "We left quite a few shots out there today. I was hoping to be around 300. The Den takes back what it gives."
The competitors in the largest-school division encountered lightening greens with penal pin placements.
Three-time Downers Grove North state qualifier Russell Katz is in a three-way tie for fourth with Tomfohrde, while Wheaton North senior Travis Otto came in with a 79.
Neuqua Valley sophomore Stephan Powers, who won the Naperville Central sectional, failed to negotiate the slick greens, skidding to an 80.
"Not a very good day," Powers said.
John Callahan, whom Powers bested in three-hole playoff at Naperbrook, fared much better.
The Benet sophomore was in position for a top-10 finish after joining a large group in an eighth-place tie with his 3-over 75.
The Redwings' other qualifier -- Will Feldman -- fired an 82.
"The greens were really quick," said Benet coach Dan Nagis. "You could run it by the hole pretty quick."