Boys golf: Wild aims big for Glenbard West finale
With his 6-foot-5 frame, John Wild stands out on the golf course.
The Glenbard West senior stands out much more for his play.
Wild won sectional championships in both 2019 and 2020. He finished third at the 2019 state tournament, but didn't get a chance to compete in 2020 when no state tournament was held.
That is providing plenty of motivation for Wild to finish his days in Glen Ellyn in style this fall - both as an individual and as part of a talented team that includes Grant Roscich, Caden Pierce, Ryan Park and Matthew Valdick as part of a 12-man roster, the most the Hilltoppers have ever kept.
"Every one of them can compete from the 12th guy," Wild said. "It's not like we just have four guys on the team just to be there. Everyone is competing. Everyone is going to be able to post a score. It's huge being able to rely on everyone. If a couple guys play bad you have other guys you can rely on to pick you up. That always feels good."
It also feels good to have a normal season again capped by a complete state series. Wild tuned up for it with a busy summer, shooting 5-under over three rounds to win his final AJGA event in Missouri. He played his first 41 holes bogey-free.
Wild said he was only home five or six days in July while playing tournaments in Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri and Kentucky.
"It was a good summer season and I'm looking to carry that over into the high school season," Wild said. "I've picked up a lot of (club) speed, use my length to my advantage. Short irons and wedges, distance control, dial in those numbers. That's been key to my success."
Wild, who played basketball until his freshman year, said he gets his athletic genes from his mom Jennifer, an All-American swimmer at Michigan.
He almost followed his mom's path to Michigan but committed to Oklahoma State with its rich men's golf tradition instead. Wild also had offers from Clemson, Virginia, West Virginia, NC State and North Carolina, among others.
"It's (Oklahoma State) undeniably the best golf program and the opportunity to go there is an opportunity you can't pass up," Wild said.
Wild plans to major in business at Stillwater, and wants to give professional golf his best shot following college.
He has big future goals no doubt, and they start this fall.
"I'm super excited for the season especially because we just keep getting better and better," Wild said. "Last year getting cut short after winning sectionals but not being able to have a state tournament, everyone on the team just wants it that much more. Everyone is super excited."