Boys golf: Barrington, St. Viator cool under downstate pressure

Barrington junior Ryan Loutos proved to be more than ready for the challenge Saturday in the final round of the boys golf Class 3A state meet in Bloomington.

Loutos was listed as the seventh man on the Broncos' roster, and with only six players competing each of the two days, he didn't expect to see any action.

Then Friday after round one was in the books, the coaches informed the junior that he'd be in the starting lineup on the final day.

"I didn't expect to play," said Loutos, "but I knew that it has happened before, so I wasn't too surprised. I was just happy for the opportunity."

Loutos acquitted himself quite nicely, shooting 82 on short notice to help lead the Broncos to fifth place overall.

Hinsdale Central won its fourth consecutive championship, winning by 3 strokes over runner-up New Trier. Senior Justin Hemings from Edwardsville was the individual medalist.

"Ryan played well today," said Broncos coach Mike Kallenbach. "All the guys battled through some tough conditions."

"I was happy with my score," added Loutos, "especially in this pressure-packed situation. I was able to par my first two holes and that was a huge confidence boost."

St. Viator, whose starting lineup included five seniors and a freshman, posted a seventh-place team finish.

"Our three captains," said Lions coach Jack Halpin, "John Carlson, Liam Warner and Matt Trimberger, really distinguished themselves out here today. They played well and they were true gentlemen. I couldn't be prouder of them."

St. Viator, along with the other teams and competitors, endured a rough start Saturday as there was a lengthy delay in beginning due to extremely cold conditions.

"I woke up today and saw that it was 33 degrees outside," said Carlson. "The more layers you wear, the tougher it is to swing."

Carlson's two-day total of 156 saw him tie for 13th individually.

"It was tough," said Carlson. "I wasn't happy with the way I played today, but making it down to state in my final year is a big deal."

Classmate Warner agreed, saying that playing his final high school round at the "Den" course in Bloomington was the ultimate goal.

"There's no better feeling that standing on the first tee here on the first day, knowing that you're one of the top 12 teams in the state," Warner said. "It's a little sad knowing that this is my final tournament, but my teammate Tim Crawford, who's only a freshman, played better than any of us today - so the future for St. Viator golf is bright."

Crawford fired a 78 Saturday to post a two-day total of 160, while Barrington junior Tim Lim finished at 76, a round that included 4 birdies, to claim the seventh-place individual medal.

Lim shot 78 Friday to finish at 154, the best score of any local competitor, while Prospect's Robert Garmoe carded an 83 Saturday.

"In the beginning, all you were trying to do was stay warm," said Lim, referring to the unseasonably cold weather. "I finished out with a birdie, and that was a great way to end after a double on the 17th."

Tom Calbi (82 Saturday, 157 overall) and Burke Barsamian (79, 160) counted scores for the Broncos, while teammate Sean Dolan excelled on the meet's final day with an 84.

St. Viator seniors Matt Wagner (172 overall), Preston Drehobl (169, 3 birdies Saturday) and Matt Trimberger (a 78 on the final day) all seniors, ended their careers on a high note.

"We've come a long way," said Trimberger. "I'd like to say we gave a great effort the entire season. We knew we had the ability, and to make it downstate was our goal from day one."

"These guys," said Halpin, "played unbelievably."