Naperville North completes perfect DVC run
The new DuPage Valley Conference policy of conducting its golf championships at neutral sites was welcomed by Naperville North junior Spencer Tanaka.
The Huskies' third man demolished Bartlett Hills with 8 birdies on Thursday afternoon, breaking 70 for the first time to lead Naperville North to its fifth conference boys golf championship this decade under Ryan Hantak.
"This was one of the sweetest," said Hantak, whose team completed a perfect league run with its 301-306 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South.
It was even tastier for Tanaka, who began his day with birdies on four of his first five holes in his sizzling 3-under 68.
"There were a lot of (potential) numbers coming to me after I got to 4-under after five holes," Tanaka said. "(The birdie putts) just kept dropping."
WW South junior Jason Plepel was second with a 73, and the Tigers' Jeremy Rhoades and Tee-K Kelly were top five with their 76s. But Naperville North prevailed over WW South behind matching 77s by Raymond Knoll and Dave Considine.
Nick Buege confirmed the Huskies' triumph with a 79. Naperville Central was third behind Matt Smith and John Doyle, who combined for a 154. Kevin Bulford was solo third with a 75 to pace fourth-place Glenbard North.
West Chicago (343) was fourth in the final standings; Wheaton North (347) and Glenbard North (333) tied for fifth after the Panthers' fourth-place tournament result.
West Aurora enters its Class 3A regional on Tuesday at Orchard Valley after turning back Glenbard East for seventh.
"It is our home course, and our kids know it so well," West Aurora coach Jay Bauer said. "After last year (when the Blackhawks stunned the field at the Naperville Central regional) you never know what might happen. It doesn't look real good (to advance) right now."
Brian Wilkinson and Adam Baumann had 85s to lead West Aurora (351).
"They shot about what I thought they would (as a team)," Bauer said.