Warriors' Flynn leads at state
BLOOMINGTON - One year later, David Flynn is in an entirely different position.
The Wheaton Academy junior blistered the back nine of the Weibring Golf Club in Normal with a 3-under-par 32 to offset early difficulties on the first day of the boys Class 2A state boys golf tournament.
Flynn leads three other golfers by a stroke after firing the only under-par round of the day with his 1-under 70.
"I have never put myself in contention before after the first day," Flynn said of his third straight state appearance.
The Warriors are also in prime position to better the finest showing in program history - a pair of fifths over the past three years - with their collective 307.
Four-time defending champion Normal U-High leads the pack with a 301, and Centralia is 4 shots ahead of Wheaton Academy at 303.
Blake Biddle fired a 77 for Wheaton Academy, which received its last two scores from freshman Lars Olson and C. J. Urbanowski with matching 80s.
"Relatively speaking, I'm pleased to be in third," Wheaton Academy coach Bob Broman said. "I think we have a chance to move up. That's all you can ask for in competition is to have a chance."
League rivals Montini and St. Francis had a pair of at-large qualifiers, and Montini sophomore Eric Lederman led the foursome with a 77.
St. Francis' Mike Segneri fired a 78, and teammate Keegan O'Rahilly was at 83.
At the Class 3A tournament at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, Hinsdale Central is keeping pace with the scalding performance by defending champion St. Viator.
Roselle resident Danny Stringfellow was one of two St. Viator players under par after a 5-birdie binge translated into a 2-under 70.
"(The lack of wind) brings a lot of people into the (individual) tournament," Stringfellow said.
Seven players eclipsed par, and St. Viator leads four teams under 300 with a 3-over total of 291.
Hinsdale Central was third at 298 after seniors John Lewis and Brett Tomfohrde anchored the team with 74s.
Benet needed a strong push from state stalwart John Callahan to improve the Redwings' position.
The junior had a 35 inward-nine to finish with a 74. Mike Kenning was at 77 for Benet.
"The beauty of this (tournament) is that there are two days," Benet coach Dan Nagis said. "We have to avoid the big scores."
Benet is in eighth place with a 316.
• Gigi DiGrazia has a commanding lead for the girls Class A crown at Hickory Ridge in Carbondale.
The Iowa-bound Driscoll senior had a level-par 72 to open a 5-shot lead over Rockford Lutheran freshman Cynthia Bounleutay.
"I had an ideal start and no-so-ideal finish," DiGrazia said. "I actually don't think the course suits my game at all. It takes away my driver."
In Class AA action Wheaton Warrenville South was in seventh place with a 344 after Molly O'Connor led the way with a 77.
"The greens were very tricky, and it seemed to get the best of the girls," WW South coach Art Tang said of the layout at Stone Creek in Makanda.
St. Francis' Kayla Stueland and Neuqua Valley senior Hannah Buck are in medal contention with 77s.