2008 Fox Valley Boys Golf Preview
Top 2007 team performances: Cary-Grove (Class 3A state qualifier), St. Edward (sectional qualifier), Larkin (sectional qualifier), Bartlett (Class 3A state qualifier; third straight top 2 conference finish)
10 Names to keep an eye on: Andrew Buddle (South Elgin, Jr.), Anthony Burdi (Bartlett, Jr.), Garrett Eddy (Streamwood, Sr.), Michael Holevas (St. Edward, Fr.), Ryan Kwech (Cary-Grove, Sr.), Xavier Owens (South Elgin, Fr.), Trace Pomplun (Bartlett, Sr.), Sam Schmalz (Burlington Central, Sr.), Ryan Smith (Larkin, Jr.), Eric Winters (St. Edward, So.)
Scouting report: This should be an interesting year in terms of how things play out among area teams. Cary-Grove has the biggest amount of firepower back on paper with four out of its top six back (including Ryan Kwech, Tyler Bulterman, Matt Efflandt and Scott Brady) from the 2007 state team. The Trojans have also received a boost early on from junior Ryan Laughlin. Area coaches also peg the likes of Prairie Ridge (large amount of returnees, including 3-year varsity performer and sectional qualifier Ben Boncosky), Crystal Lake South (with seniors Nick Reuter and Nick Remley) and Jacobs as possible top-tier contenders in the FVC. However, Jacobs (led by senior Donnie Langland, sophomore Scott Cahill and sectional qualifier Josh Kopka) will be without standout Mike Kneip who is out with a back injury that coach Jeremy Bauer said might sideline him for the season. Jacobs did shoot a school-record 140 at Randall Oaks recently (even-par). Huntley is led by seniors Taylor Brown, Tyler Lawrence and Zach Petitt, while Dundee-Crown returns sectional qualifier Jordan Nelson. Burlington Central coach Brody Hamel is confident his squad can be competitive in the Big Northern Conference this season. Sam Schmalz, who set 4 school records in 2007 and missed state by 2 strokes, leads the way for the Rockets along with fellow sectional qualifier Peter Cappas. Hampshire junior Grant Yoder got off to a good start with a 78 at the recent Sandwich invitational. South Elgin impressed many at the season-opening Larkin Invitational by shooting a school-record 307. The Storm features junior Andrew Buddle (74, 76 in the team's first two tournaments) and freshman Xavier Owens (74, 76). Bartlett, which has won two of the last three Upstate Eight titles, returns standouts Trace Pomplun and Anthony Burdi. Streamwood's Garrett Eddy was a sectional qualifier last year and is one of the area's top individual players. Junior Ryan Smith headlines Larkin's card, while Elgin, which has increased numbers this season, is paced by senior Devin Skopek. St. Edward is paced by the youthful tandem of Eric Winters and Michael Holevas, while junior David Kaufman returns as Elgin Academy's top golfer.
New faces: Huntley boys track coach Jim Rolando has taken over the boys golf program. Rolando was an assistant to longtime boys coach Ann Christiansen (now the girls coach) for a number of years and also was an assistant golf coach at Burlington Central. Boys basketball coach Marty Manning is Rolando's assistant. Andy LaScala is Elgin's new boys coach.
Already in the books: Westminster Christian did not win a Private School League match in 2007. That won't happen again. The Warriors were already 1-1 through late last week after beating Walther Lutheran and losing to Illiana Christian. Westminster is led by senior Brandon Siewert.
Practice makes perfect: Bartlett senior Trace Pomplun is focused on having a memorable senior season. "I try to practice 5 or 6 hours a day," said Pomplun. "I played in about 12 juniors events this summer. I'm more consistent. I'm hitting a lot more greens and fairways. I'm scoring better."
-- Mike Miazga