First trip to state for Burlington C.

Teachers and coaches at Burlington Central High School will have to excuse boys golf coach Deb Twenhafel and her team if they are a bit giddy this morning.

For the first time in the history of the Rockets' boys golf program, they are off to state.

Central shot a 313 Monday at Park Hills West in Freeport and finished third at the Class 2A Freeport sectional, securing the final team qualifying spot for this weekend's state finals at the Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University in Normal.

“I'm walking on air, said Twenhafel, the program's longtime coach. “This is history making.

The Rockets' closest sniff at state prior to Monday was when they missed the cut by 2 shots in 1994.

And Twenhafel didn't come into Monday's meet thinking a trip to ISU was in the cards for this weekend.

“Early in the season we were putting up some good scores 307, 312 but then we hit a rough stretch in the middle of the season so, no, I really didn't think we had a chance, she said.

But the Rockets exceeded their coach's expectations. BC actually tied with Sterling for the team title but Sterling earned second place on a score card tiebreaker.

Freshman Matt Weber led the way for the Rockets, shooting a 71 and losing a two-hole playoff to Freeport senior Derek Kunz for the sectional championship. Senior Matt Allison and junior Luke Fleming each carded 80s and Alex Power came in with an 82. BC's two non-scorers, Brent Wilkening and Lukas Smith, each broke 90 as well, shooting 84 and 86 respectively.

“After regionals I had given up on the idea we had a chance to make it down, said Twenhafel, whose team shot a lofty 339 at last week's Belvidere North regional but still got out to sectionals. “I just wanted them to do well and be respectable.

And as the scores came in and her players figured out they had made it to state, Twenhafel couldn't hide her emotions.

“I couldn't believe it, she said. “I had tears flowing down my face and I was just so excited for this group of boys. They're so deserving and I'm so happy for them. I just sit in the golf cart and smile. There's no credit to me. These guys have done this on their own.