St. Edward's Winters places 6th

It was an exciting weekend for St. Edward junior Eric Winters and his family.

Winters shot a 75 Saturday for a two-day total of 152 and a sixth-place finish in the Class 1A state boys golf tournament at Prairie Vista in Bloomington.

"I only made a couple bogeys," said Winters. "I struck the ball well throughout the day and I putted pretty well. My putter got hot for me. My goal starting the postseason was to win regionals, get top three at sectionals and top 10 at state. I did all three of those and it feels great."

Even if it was a little nerve-racking for St. Edward coach Greg Winters, Eric's dad.

"It was exciting to watch him," said Greg Winters. "It was mentally challenging for him and for us watching. With the cold and rain and wind (Friday), he was tired. We're very proud of him."

In the Class 3A meet at The den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, South Elgin sophomore Xavier Owens shot a 74 Saturday to finish at 155 and tied for 13th place. Jacobs junior Scott Cahill finished tied for 17th after shooting a 75 Saturday for a 156 total, while Crystal Lake South's Nick Robles (84-162, tie for 48th), Cary-Grove's Matt Efflandt (85-164, tie for 58th) and Larkin senior Ryan Smith (88-175, tie for 93rd) also closed out their seasons.