Boys golf: Focused Stevenson sends Rueth out on top
Stevenson’s boys golf team wrapped up a nice parting gift for head coach John Rueth.
The Patriots delivered a North Suburban Conference title to their retiring head coach Wednesday at the NSC meet at Thunderhawk golf course in Zion. The Patriots shot a 295 to finish 13 shots ahead of both Libertyville and Lake Forest to win the title.
“They were focused,” said Rueth, who is stepping down after 25 years as the boys’ head coach.
“We had a tough day on Saturday, and we had a discussion from there. They were motivated to show what happened last weekend was not who they are.”
Stevenson had to overcome a poor outing Saturday at the Wheeling Invite when it finished 11th and in the middle of the field.
On Wednesday, the Patriots placed three golfers in the top four spots to win the conference title.
Stevenson’s Nathan Guo was the only golfer to break par. The sophomore had four birdies and two bogies to finish with his best score of the year, a two-under 70.
“I feel great,” Guo said. “My irons were good, my driver was good, everything was good. It was functioning together. It was all my mindset. As soon as I get in the groove I am playing really well.”
Ben Merdalo, a junior, was second overall with a 73. He said winning the team title Wednesday had an extra meaning.
“It felt really nice out there,” Merdalo said. “I think this was pretty special for coach Rueth. To win conference for him in his last year was important to us.”
Senior Trenton Kurtz tied at 74 and lost on the tiebreaker for a fourth-place finish overall. Carson Valeroso, Victor Jagasia and Dylan Lee each carded a 78 while Eli Sommerfeld scored 80.
Libertyville tied Lake Forest for second with each team shooting a 308. Libertyville was awarded second place on a tiebreaker.
“We were happy with the way things ended up today,” said Libertyville coach Kevin Wall, whose team will host regionals at Thunderhawk next Wednesday.
“We came out here to win, but second place is good. I was proud of the way the guys hung in there after having some hiccups along the way. But they battled though it.”
Finn Sullivan led the Wildcats with a 74 and finished third on the day. Andrew Huennekens and Maxwell Forkner each shot 77 while Parker McConnell and Austin Scott each posted 80.
Mundelein coach Todd Parola, whose team was just one stroke back with a 309 to finish fourth, saw his team have a solid day. The Mustangs will join Libertyville and Warren at the regional meet at Thunderhawk next Wednesday.
“I’m really happy,” Parola said. “Our goal was to come in here and play well and get ready for regionals. We have been making strides in the right direction.”
Carson Koenigsknecht (75) led the Mustangs. His brother Parker (77), Aiden Pyke (78) and Denver Russell (79) all broke 80.
Warren, which was the NSC champion last year for the first time in school history, was hit hard by graduation and finished fifth with a 323.
Adam Weihs shot an 80 while Jameson O’Neill, Oliver Rojewski and Max Newton each shot 81.
“I think we were a little worse off than we expected,” Warren coach David Zaban said. “Typically, our goal is 320 or under. Not terrible by any means. This was a great practice round for us for regionals.”
Lake Zurich finished sixth with a 328. The Bears were led by Tyler Marini (80), Brady Walsh (81), Evan Kerr (82) and Erik Troutman (85).
“I thought our team competed well and stuck with it,” Lake Zurich coach Mike Kolze said. “Our scores weren’t where we wanted them to be, but I was proud of our guys on how they played on a tough golf course.”