Martens' recovery keys West Chicago
Kyle Martens' day started as a nightmare.
It was only appropriate he atoned for his early woes by whipping the toughest hole Monday at the St. Andrew Golf & Country Club in West Chicago.
The Wildcats' third golfer, a sophomore, beautifully flushed a 6-iron within six feet on the perilous 200-yard, uphill par-3. Moments later, he nailed the birdie putt.
It proved the start of a wonderful recovery.
The West Chicago sophomore shot a 4-over par 39 as the Wildcats improved their season mark to 2-2 by throttling Elgin 163-193.
The Maroons (0-1) were a last minute replacement for Willowbrook, which had mistakenly booked two matches for the same day.
"(My round) started off pretty badly with a 3-putt on the first hole," said Martens. "On the sixth hole, it was playing down hill and I hit it right there.
"I hit every green [in regulation] after that."
Another Wildcat sophomore, Connor Simmons, recorded a 40 that backed up his classmate. "I had two double bogeys, but I saved my round with six pars," said Simmons.
Martens and Simmons were both participants of a historic Wildcat playoff team last year that qualified for the first sectional in school history. Their progression proved crucial Monday as the team's top two players for struggled with off-days. Senior Blair Skarin and junior Robby Windisch shot 44 and 43, respectively.
Fortunately, the team located another savior. Playing as the eighth man, junior Nick Shurba was terrific in shooting a 41. Windisch's round completed the Wildcat scoring.
West Chicago coach Eric Lasky was pleased by the team's show of depth and perseverance.
"These were great scores considering how badly the top two players shot," said Lasky. "This will be a good experience (for Skarin and Windisch)."
By contrast, Elgin's start to the season has been less than kind. "In three [18-hole] tournaments we failed to break 420," said Elgin coach Andy LaScala. "It's been a work in progress."
The lone Maroon bright spot was Elgin junior Dan Hegel, who shot a career-best 44. The two man shot brilliant up and ins for par on the first two holes that marked his round. Russell Clinton shot a 46, Ryan Anderson recorded a 51 and Tony Vogtritter came in with a 52.
"Hegel is definitely coming around," said LaScala. "If we can get his drives working better, that should help even more."
Girls golf
Neuqua Valley 197, Lake Park 229: Medalist Chloe Nettleton shot a 45 and Alisha Patel had a 49 to lead the Wildcats at Naperbrook. Lake Park was led by Angela Staschke with 53.
Boys golf
Benet 196, Nazareth 200: Benet's Nick Bonfitto shot a 38 and the Callahans, John and Pat, each shot 39 in their East Suburban Catholic Conference match. Nazareth's Pat Mullaney took medalist honors at 33.
Boys soccer
Benet 1, L-Way Central 0: Benet's George Elliott scored an unassisted goal with 14 minutes left to give the Redwings the 1-0 win over Lincoln-Way Central on Monday at Naperville North. Playing in the Best of the West tournament, Benet (2-0-1) also got 4 saves from keeper Alex Senetar. Lincoln-Way Central's Mike Dybala made 7 saves.
Benet's next tourney action will be 7 p.m. Thursday against Neuqua Valley.