Heelan's game looms large for Mundelein
Mundelein sophomore Grant Heelan doesn't shave yet, but the boy who plays like a man on the golf course sure knows how to trim strokes.
As every good golfer will tell you, it's all about the short game.
And "short" is no offense to Heelan, who stands 5 feet, 2 inches.
If it weren't for the braces on his teeth, he might weigh less than his golf bag.
"I've had them for three years," Heelan said with a smile that will improve once he gets his braces off, which he speculates will be in about 2-3 months.
A big reason why Mundelein's golf team is off to such a terrific start this season is the play of Heelan, who has, well, stood tall. The left-hander just hits fairways, sticks approach shots close and drains putts.
Phil Mickelson may be "Lefty," but Heelan is "Little Lefty."
Heelan fired a 1-over 37 on Pine Meadow's front nine Thursday, earning medalist honors, as the Mustangs carded - for them - a mediocre 156 in defeating Libertyville by 9 strokes in a North Suburban Conference Lake Division match.
"Very disappointing," said Mundelein coach Todd Parola, before freshman Brett Cigelnik turned in a 39 to complement Heelan's 37 and senior Sean Forsythe's 38.
Mundelein improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the NSC Lake. The Mustangs already have won two tournaments - at Whisper Creek and Bittersweet - and shot a school-record 294 in the county tournament at Antioch.
"An off round for our team standards this year," Forsythe said. "We feel we have a really good team. Our goal is to shoot around even (par) every match."
Heelan's only blemish was on the par-3 eighth, which features a recently aerated green.
"I was like one foot off the green," Heelan said. "I three-putted from there because those aeration marks."
That's about all that can stop him.
"I drive it about 220 (yards) and then everything else is just putting and chipping, getting it close to the hole," Heelan said.
"He's extremely accurate, he's got an incredible short game, and he's got a very consistent swing," Forsythe said of his teammate. "He doesn't hit it very far, but he hits it straight every time."
Colin McCarthy, Conor Hartnett and Eric Nelson each shot a 42 for Mundelein. Nelson, a senior, usually breaks 40 for nine holes. Nelson, Heelan and Forsythe are usually the Mustangs' top three.
"He hits the ball very well," Forsythe said of Nelson. "He hits his driver straight and long, and he hits his irons well, also."
Eric Hollenbeck led Libertyville (0-3, 0-1), as he carded a season-best 39. He was even par through five.
"I had a pretty good day overall," Hollenbeck said. "I pretty much hit every green in regulation."
Hollenbeck was the only Wildcat to break 40, however, and coach Sean Matthews knows that's not good enough against a team like Mundelein.
"Todd's got the special recipe over there," Matthews joked. "They're doing well."
Wauconda d. Antioch: At Countryside, Luke Bernard fired a 41 to win medalist honors, as the Bulldogs (172) won by five strokes. Henry Manahan added a 42.
Jacobs d. Grayslake North: At Renwood, Scott Cahill's 35 led the visiting Golden Eagles (159) to a two-shot victory.
Danny Santelle and Matt Bergstrom shot 38 and 39, respectively, for the Knights.
Lakes d. Grant: At Antioch, the Eagles carded a 160 and won by 17 shots, as they were led by 39s from Cody Franke and Matt Hirsch.
Grant's Sean Thandupurakal was medalist with a 38.
Girls volleyballLibertyville d. New Trier: Catie Steffen and Paige Hopper pounded 11 and 9 kills, respectively, as the Wildcats won 25-22, 28-26 to improve to 5-0.Cindy Zhou dished out 20 assists and Hannah Saia had 8 digs for Libertyville.Stevenson d. Glenbrook South: Rachel Baader had 8 kills, and Carolyn McDonough and Jenna Przybyla each lofted 11 assists to lead the Patriots (3-0) to a 27-25, 29-27 win.Grayslake Central d. Dundee-Crown: Klaudia Basierak slammed 11 kills in the Rams' 25-11, 25-19 win.Grayslake Central (3-0) also received 5 kills from Gabi Casper and 5 aces from Emily Wickenkamp.Richmond-Burton d. Lakes: Rachel Sieracke had 5 kills and 3 blocks for the Eagles in their 25-15, 25-15 loss.Vernon Hills d. Antioch: The Cougars won the North Suburban Prairie match 25-18, 25-18.Brianna Grant, Hanna Jennrich and Jessica Ploss each had 4 kills for Antioch (0-4). Grant also posted 5 blocks.True864864Mundelein golfer Eric Nelson drives on the second hole during the boys high school golf tournament between Mundelein and Libertyville Thursday at Pine Meadow Golf Club in Libertyville.Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff PhotographerTrue