Boys golf: Northwest preview

Will the Lions be able to make it four straight?

St.Viator comes into the 2010 campaign having won three straight state championships, almost unheard of in the prep golf world. It may be tougher this season as Viator lost some stellar players to graduation, but still hopes to compete for another East Suburban Catholic Conference title, advance out of regionals and sectionals and make another trip to the state meet at Bloomington for a shot at a "four-peat." "We'll be carrying 24 players on the varsity roster this year," said Viator coach Jack Halpin, "and all of them break 80 regularly." Senior Ken Wienckowski and sophomore Luke DeTrempe, big contributors in 2009, will lead the way this year. "We have by far the deepest team in this school's 50 years of fielding a golf team," said Halpin. "The only question is, how far can our top guys go?"

Can anyone stop Prospect in the MSL East?

In the Mid-Suburban East, defending league champion Prospect hopes to keep on winning with an experienced roster that includes returnees and seniors Jimi Poulos, Derek Leeney, and Cael Keiss. Hersey will be a strong competitor with senior stars Kevin Brawley and Ryan Starkman returning, and long-time coach Dan Caporusso likes what he sees thus far. "We've had some great contributions already this year," said Caporusso. "I like the soldiers I'm going into battle with." Coach Pete Duffer of Buffalo Grove has high hopes with freshman Doug Ghim, an Illinois Junior Golf Association player of the year. "I'm excited to see him play," said Duffer, "and along with Doug we have a bunch of seniors who are playing well and really know how to manage the course." Wheeling should feature its strongest squad in quite some time with sophomores Jack Ferguson and Zach Nauert, and junior Mike Taylor benefitting from years of playing together and fine-tuning their games. "They were the go-to guys last year," said Wildcats coach Mark Menich, "and they'll be relied upon this year to do the same." Rolling Meadows is looking to rebuild in 2010 and already has received a great performance from sophomore Dan Wojtowicz, who fired a 79 at the year's inaugural tournament at Rolling Green Country Club. "We've also got senior captains Dan Eck and Ryan Kulpins," said Mustangs coach Todd Schaap, "and they're two of the smartest and most consistent players around." Elk Grove has high hopes for senior Adam Dill, junior Dan Guido and sophomore Ryan White.

Down to the wire in the MSL West?

The MSL West race should go down to the wire again this year with perennial contenders Barrington, last season's West champions, leading the way. "We've already shot a 292 this year, at Prairie Isle," said Broncos coach Mike Kallenbach, "so I feel that we'll be extremely competitive. We've got a deeper team than in years past, but it'll be a challenge because the competition is so good." Senior captains Marc Ackermann and Nick Schiavi will be the top scorers for the Broncos this year, while Palatine returns three senior varsity stalwarts in Bryan Bartyzel, Alex Kehe, and Cully Leverenz. Conant will also field a senior-laden squad with Mike Stanley, Anthony Altosino, Brian Gebhardt, Brent Gatz and Alex Hausen, all capable players. "We've got a lot of experience," said Cougars coach Jerry Song. "We were young last year, but we had a pretty good season, and now with this experience we should have a great season this year." Fremd will lean heavily on Brad Peterson, who has already earned a medal by carding a 77 at Rolling Green (eighth place). Schaumburg has a new coach in Chris Zickert, who'll be counting on senior Scott Meschnig and Nick Brandt to make big contributions. "Our goal is to finish in the top half of the MSL," said Zickert, "but of course it'll be tough. Our league this year may be as competitive as it's ever been." Seniors Trent Rehusch, Jonathan Pape, Matt Rohlfing and Drew Roesch will be the top returnees for Hoffman Estates. "All four of these guys," said Hawks coach Dave Grabarek, "will have to work really hard and compete each and every day for us to have success."

Maine West retools in CSL North

In the Central Suburban North, Maine West will retool after losing six of its top seven golfers to graduation. "We've got some nice new players stepping in," said Warriors coach Mike Godlewski. "We hope to be competitive and build on past successes." Seniors Phil Romano and Chris Crowell, junior Kyle O'Connell, and sophomores Tom Kukec and Tony Volk will be out front for West.

Leyden has blend of young and old

Leyden hopes to be competitive in an extremely difficult West Suburban Gold. "We're trying to improve upon our record of last year," said coach Steve Siekierski, "and although we have three sophomores on varsity, we also have five returning seniors, so we'll be experienced. Downers Grove South and Hinsdale South are powerhouses; they're just head and shoulders above everyone else, so we'll measure ourselves on how we do against the rest of the teams." Seniors Kenny Patronski and Steve Gargula, and sophomore Patrick Barnett will be counted on heavily.

- Compiled by Bill Esbrook