Scouting Class 3A boys golf sectionals

Class 3A boys golf sectionals

Glenbrook North sectional

When: Monday

Where: Sportsman's Country Club, Northbrook

Maine West, the fifth seed at last Tuesday's Elk Grove regional, thought it had only an outside shot at being one of the three teams to advance Monday's sectional tourney.

They Warriors wound up doing much better than just qualifying. Backed by a career best round of 77 from junior Ryan Johnson, they surprised the field at Fox Run Golf Links by carding a team score of 333 to win the first boys golf regional in school history and become the first team in 21 years to advance to a sectional meet.

"Ryan had medaled earlier in the year at the Grant tournament by shooting an 84, which was then his best tournament score," said West coach Mike Godlewski, "but the stars were aligned for him at Fox Run."

Seniors Evan Haase (85), Scott Moozakis (85) and Kyle Hecker (86) all counted scores in the big win, while Mike Villardita has been a force all season for the Warriors as well.

"It was an awesome day," added Godlewski. "The guys were ecstatic, but they acted like perfect gentlemen."

Now Godlewski, who's team went 13-7 overall this season, knows they'll have their work cut out for them against a strong sectional field that includes two-time state champion St. Viator, Mid-Suburban League champion Prospect, Fremd, New Trier and Loyola.

"I don't think it's realistic to expect us to go downstate against such a strong field," said Godlewski, "but we're hoping one or two of our guys can have career days and get to state."

The Lions, who shook off a close loss to Carmel at the East Suburban Catholic Conference championship to win the Fremd regional going away, received an inspiring performance at Hilldale Golf Course from freshman Luke DeTrempe.

DeTrempe, who coach Jack Halpin said "wasn't even on the radar" for his squad at the beginning of the season, fired a 72 in brutal weather conditions and just missed out on the individual regional first-place medal when Fremd senior Sean Jones, who also shot 72, won a playoff.

Senior Dan Stringfellow (74 at Hilldale), Joe Carlson (75), and Brad Klune are back for Viator's run at a third straight state championship, while Jones is looking to get back to the state tournament at Bloomington where he's finished eighth the last two years.

Junior Brad Peterson, Jackson Tworek and Brad Beutler hope to send the Vikings to a state tourney berth, while Jimi Poulos, who fired a 78 in the Fremd regional, leads an impressive Prospect cast that includes fellow junior Cael Kiess, junior Derek Leeney and seniors Mike Sokolik, Matt Maloney and Tyler Beyak.

Conant's Kyle Severinsen and Anthony Altosino, David Krzepicki and Brett Meihls of Hoffman Estates, Kevin Snodgrass of Hersey, Andrey Ly of Buffalo Grove, and Schaumburg's Tim Hugo and Scott Meschnig will all play at Sportsman's after advancing as individuals from the Fremd regional.

Joining them will be Wheeling freshman Jack Ferguson, who finished in the top eight at the New Trier regional, as will Elk Grove's Adam Dill and Ryan White (out of the Fox Run regional).

Maine South, St. Patrick, and Glenbrook North will also compete at Sportsman's where the top two teams will qualify for the state tournament to be held, as usual, at the "Den" at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington on Oct. 16-17.

Lake Forest sectional

When: Monday

Where: Lake Bluff Golf Course

Barrington junior Marc Ackermann is on a roll as he leads the Broncos into the sectional against tough opponents such as the host Scouts, Highland Park, and Carmel.

Ackermann just missed out on the MSL individual title, finishing second, and followed that up at Tuesday's McHenry regional by firing a 75 to take medalist honors at Oak Grove Golf Course.

The Broncos' team score of 315 saw them win the team trophy at Oak Grove as well, and behind Nick Schiavi (78 at Oak Grove), Jimmy Cook (80), Greg Conrad, Mike Stathakis and Johnny McNulty, they hope to advance to state for a fourth consecutive season.

Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake, and three Rockford schools (Auburn, Guilford and Boylan) will also compete at Lake Bluff.

- Bill Esbrook