Boys golf roundup: Benet, Hinsdale Central go low to win regional championships
The competition was fierce to grab one of the top three spots at the Class 3A Benet boys golf regional Wednesday at St. Andrews in West Chicago.
The host Redwings won the regional at 299 and will be joined at next Monday’s Class 3A Oswego sectional at Blackberry Oaks by Neuqua Valley and Naperville Central, both with 305s.
Waubonsie Valley (311) and Naperville North (314) didn’t miss by much.
Benet’s Charles Davenport and Charlie Davis were two of the four golfers who shot 73s, one shot behind medalist Jack Boehmke from Neuqua Valley.
Benet’s Billy Tierney and Luke Donovan also had counting scores with a 76 and 77, respectively.
Graeme Cavanagh led Naperville Central with a 73. Waubonsie Valley’s Aanish Kamdar was the fourth golfer to card a 73, while Naperville Central’s Ryan Watson finished sixth with a 74 and Naperville North’s Colin Mills seventh with a 75.
At Hinsdale Central: The scores were even lower at Willow Crest Golf Club where Glenbard West’s 312 wasn’t quite enough to advance.
Those top three spots went to Hinsdale Central (284), Wheaton Warrenville South (293) and Wheaton North (304), sending those teams to Blackberry Oaks for sectional action Monday.
Hinsdale Central senior Dru Devata shot a 69 for medalist honors. Teammate Kevin Wesolowski was right behind at 70.
The Tigers were led by Michael Johansen (71), Callan Fahey (73), Charlie Gilligan (74) and Andrew Shah (75).
Wheaton North also put four in the 70s: Kyle Van Rossum (74), Trey Hubner (75), James Gaither (76) and Kaden Fisher (79).
Junior Ivan Blood shot a 74 to lead five Glenbard West golfers who qualified individually. Senior Colton Presson fired a 73 and moved on for Downers Grove North.
At LaSalle-Peru: Burlington Central shot a 301 to finish one shot behind Ottawa and qualify for Monday’s Class 2A Kaneland regional at Hughes Creek.
All six Rockets broke 80 on Wednesday at Oak Ridge Golf Club. Junior Tyler Samaan shot a 73, good for second overall, followed by sophomore Matthew Zierk (74), and seniors Matthew Kowalik and Camden Sarallo with 77s.
Kaneland qualified three individuals: Dylan Pjesky, Brayden Seaton and Jack Frey.
At Lemont: Also in 2A, defending state champion Regan Konen fired a 71 at Green Garden Country Club to win the regional championship.
Konen led Marmion to second place in the team standings with a 317, three shots behind Providence. Senior Cooper Okolita (80), senior Evan Paganelis (81), senior Matt Murray (85) and junior Luke Feltner (85) followed Konen for the Cadets, who will play at Wedgewood Golf Course at the Class 2A Lemont sectional on Monday.
At Montini: Wheaton Academy also advanced to the Lemont sectional by winning the Montini regional on Monday. Wheaton Academy sophomore Owen Coniaris shot a 67 at Village Links of Glen Ellyn to earn medalist.
Freshman Ben Patel (68), freshman Clayton Barnett (79) and senior Eddie Dykema (84) also posted counting scores for the Warriors.