St. Edward challenging for title
St. Edward's boys golf team has itself in a position to strike this morning.
The Green Wave, making its first state finals appearance in 9 years, sits in fourth place at the Class 1A tournament at Prairie Vista in Bloomington.
St. Edward shot 310 Friday and is only 3 shots out of the lead. Effingham St. Anthony and Downstate Mt. Carmel are tied for first at 307, while Pleasant Plains in third at 309. St. Edward last brought home a state golf trophy in 1991 (third place). The Green Wave won the 1981 state title and took second in 1979 and 1983, while also logging third-place showings in 1977 and 1978.
“We're going in (today) with a lot of confidence, St. Edward senior Blake Poremba said.
In addition, to Poremba's strong 77, the Green Wave was also bolstered by junior standout Michael Holevas' 73, which tied him for fifth after the first day of play. He's but 2 strokes off the individual lead.
“I played pretty well, said Holevas, who had 5 birdies during his round. “I wasn't striking the ball great, but I was scrambling pretty well and came up with a pretty low score. My short game was working well. I was chipping really well. I had chips inside 5 feet consistently.
Poremba added a 77, which included a pair of birdies, including one on the fifth hole via a chip in.
“I'm very happy, Poremba said. “I tied one of my best scores ever. I put the ball in the fairway and put it close to the pin when I hit my second shot. My approach shots were really good.
St. Edward also counted a 77 from senior Eric Winters and an 83 from his freshman brother, Dan Winters. Eric Winters logged an eagle on the seventh hole.
“We're sitting pretty good, St. Edward coach Dr. Greg Winters said. “This team seems to like to come from behind. Their back nine seems to be when they shoot best and that's what happened today.
St. Edward shot a 150 on its back nine (the actual front nine of the course) with Holevas and Eric Winters shooting 1-under on the front and Poremba shooting 1-over.
“We're only 3 shots out, Holevas said. “(Today) is the last day of the season. We're going to go get after it and see what happens.
In the Class 2A tournament at Illinois State University's Weibring Golf Club in Normal, Burlington Central finds itself in ninth place heading into this morning's final round. The Rockets, making their first state finals trip as a team, shot 339 and sit 9 shots out of sixth place and 24 shots out of the lead.
Freshman Matt Weber and Luke Fleming each shot 80 to lead the way for the Rockets. Junior Lukas Smith added an 89, while Brent Wilkening shot 90.
“Everybody had a difficult time, Central coach Deb Twenhafel said. “The greens were lightning-fast. The ground was hard. They had a hard time landing shots. As soon as it lands, it takes off.
But Twenhafel and the Rockets aren't waving any type of white flag, not when the team shaved 26 shots off its regional score at last week's Freeport sectional.
“Someone made the analogy that we shot a 339 at regionals, so all we have to do is come back and shoot 313 like we did at sectionals and we'll be right back in the ballgame, Twenhafel said. “We're 19 strokes out of third. It's not the end of the world. We're 9 strokes from sixth place. We went to the range afterward and worked on some things and there were smiles on their faces. All we have to do is go out and shoot like we are capable of shooting.
In the Class 3A tournament at the Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, Crystal Lake South junior Nick Robles is in a tie for fourth place after shooting a 73. He's only 3 strokes out of the lead. Robles had 5 birdies during his opening 18.
Jacobs senior Scott Cahill is tied for 21st after shooting a 78. He shot 78, despite a combined 13 on 2 holes (2 double bogeys). Cahill parred every hole on the back nine.
In the girls Class AA state finals at Hickory Point in Forsyth, Hampshire junior Connie Ellett was tied for eighth place after the first day of play. Ellett shot 76 and is 7 shots out of the lead. Ellett shot 38 on both ends and had 2 birdies and also eagled the 11th hole.
Her sister, Taylor Ellett, is tied for 29th place. Taylor Ellett, a 4-time state qualifier, shot 81 (40-41).