Hinsdale Central wins first state girls golf title since 2015

The Hinsdale Central girls golf program finally reached the top of the mountain — again.

After winning back-to-back state titles in 2014 and 2015, the Red Devils reached the summit by winning the Class 2A state team championship on Saturday.

Hinsdale Central was the class of the field, carding a 297 on Saturday to finish with a two-round tally of 600 to win the state title at Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur.

Stevenson finished in second place with a 608, Glenbrook North took third (609) and Barrington placed fourth (616). Edwardsville senior Nicole Johnson won the individual state championship by firing a 138, including a sizzling 68 on Saturday.

Hinsdale Central girls golf coach Nick Latorre was happy to end the season with the program's third state championship in eight years.

“I'm really happy for the girls because they've worked really hard all season,” Latorre said. “I'm thrilled for them. It was a great performance both days, and they really stepped up and played great. It was really satisfying. They're a really close-knit group this year, and were fun to watch. They really bonded, especially this weekend. They really wanted it and worked hard to achieve it. We got hot at the right time of the year.”

Hinsdale Central sophomore Elyssa Abdullah was the top local finisher, earning second place with a 70 — two strokes behind Johnson. Glenbrook South senior Effie Perakis snagged a fourth-place medal (144). Kaneland senior Katharine Marshall shot a 146 to finish sixth.

“We had a solid team effort, with Elyssa's the only top 10 we had,” Latorre said. “It was a really good team effort. She was very consistent off the tee, had her putting stroke and putted exceptionally well all weekend.”

Stevenson coach Emma Degen credited the Red Devils for playing at a high level in the final round on Saturday. The Patriots, who also placed second last season behind Barrington, were ahead of the pack by one stroke following Friday's round, but the Red Devils pieced together a strong team effort on Saturday to win the state team championship. On Friday, the Patriots carded a 302.

“We didn't play our best golf today, but Hinsdale Central did,” Degen said. “We were happy with our one stroke lead, but we knew going into (Saturday) that one stroke lead was nothing. Kudos to Hinsdale Central. They beat us by nine strokes. They played really well. We weren't hitting fairways, missing putts, and it just wasn't going our way. We had some tough breaks, some unlucky stuff happened out there. But when you don't play your best golf, but still come away with second place trophy, that's not so bad.”

Degen said senior Allie Santos will be missed for her consistent high-level play and leadership.

“Allie Santos will be a huge loss for us,” she said. “She's been a huge part of this team for four years. She's really worked hard, and a great role model for the younger kids. We're going to miss her game play and leadership.”

Under Degen's direction, the Patriots added to their trophy case. The Patriots were one of the top teams on the 2020 shortened COVID season, when they won their sectional. They placed 12th in 2017, fifth in 2018 and won a state title in 2019. Chelsea She, a junior, paced the Patriots with an 11th-place finish (148).

“These girls are so dedicated to their games, from the way they practice all year long,” Degen said. “All they want to do is get better. This is a good mark for the program. We're excited for next year, as they got some fuel behind them to continue to work hard. Chelsea played her heart out today. She was fighting hard and really wanted to win it. She's the reason we're coming home with a second-place trophy, not a third-place trophy.”

In Class 1A, Mt. Carmel won the state title (600) in easy fashion, as Rockford Boylan (635) and St. Viator (675) rounded out the top three teams. St. Francis took fifth (699).

On the boys side, New Trier won the 3A state title with a final two-round tally of 603 at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington.

Hinsdale Central shot a 300 on Saturday to storm to a second-place finish (605). Glenbrook North (609), Lake Forest (624) and Glenbrook South (624) took third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Barrington finished just outside the top five, taking sixth place with a 631. New Trier junior Johnny Creamean overcame the elements to shoot a 146 to win the state individual championship. Hinsdale Central senior Emil Riegger and Waubonsie Valley junior Salil Khanduja both were among five golfers to tie for third place with a 147. Glenbard West junior Grant Roscich and Prospect's Patrick Raupp both shot a 148 to tie for seventh place.

Hinsdale Central first-year boys golf coach Serge Penksik said his players fought hard to take home a second-place trophy. The Red Devils were tied with Lake Forest with a 305 following Friday's round — 10 shots back of New Trier.

“I'm very proud of the kids, for it's been a while since I've seen a team with this much fight in them,” Penksik said. “We came up short. The kids are disappointed, but overjoyed to take second in state. What they did today showed a lot of determinate and grit.

“We started today 10 shots off the lead, but tied for second place. It was exciting to see. Emil was stellar for us. He put up two good rounds in difficult conditions. I think he's ecstatic about getting second. It's been quite a ride.”

In 2A, Benet placed third with a 620, with St. Ignatius winning the title (603), Carmel senior Jacob Lutzke, who overcame a major surgery in the middle of the season, and Wheaton Academy senior Sam Dykema both placed ninth with a 148. IC Catholic earned a third-place team trophy in Class 1A with a 630. Junior Zazz Atendido paced the Knights with a fourth-place medal (150).