Redemption for Jones; MSL triumph for Prospect

A stirring comeback from injury and a story of redemption highlighted Tuesday's Mid-Suburban League boys golf championship.

Fremd senior Sean Jones, just back from a few weeks off with an injured elbow, won the individual MSL championship by carding a 76 while Prospect put an emphatic exclamation point to their undefeated conference season.

The Knights, still smarting from what they thought was a too-early exit in last year's postseason, counted three scores under 80 to finish with a total of 315 for the tourney to claim the MSL team title.

Senior Tyler Beyak (77), Junior Derek Leeney (78), and Junior Jimi Poulos (79) overcame cold, windy conditions and difficult pin placements at Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates to best Barrington (second place overall, 322 at the tourney) and win the championship.

"This was one of the goals we set at the beginning of the season," said Prospect senior Mike Sokolik, "and to acheive it just feels unreal."

"These guys thought their season ended a little early last year," added Prospect coach Tom Martindale, "and they took it upon themselves to do something special out here - and they really did.

"I think we had a sense of how good we could be even back in the summer, and this team and this season has been extra special to me, for a lot of sentimental reasons. There was a lot of emotion out here today."

Jones, a two-time state top 10 finisher, was playing his first match after missing almost a month. The senior was able to play only 'a couple of practice rounds' prior to the MSL meet.

"I made sure it (the elbow) wasn't hurting before I started playing again," said Jones, who shot a consistent 38 on the front and back nine. "I was more worried about being rusty.

"And I was a little rusty, but I still played well enough to win - even though I didn't feel that I was at my best."

Chris Ramirez (83) and Brad Beutler (83) led Fremd to a third-place finish, while Hoffman Estates' Brett Meihls shot 79 to tie Poulos for 5th individually and helped the Hawks to fourth in the team race.

Barrington junior Marc Ackerman finished second overall, tied with Prospect's Beyak, but was disappointed his score wasn't better.

"I was only 1 over thru 11," said Ackerman, "but I didn't finish strong."

Leeney's score at the 6,321-yard, par 70 course put him alone at 3rd place, while Scott Mesching of Schaumburg and Wheeling freshman Zack Nauert shared seventh place by shooting 80.

"My goal today was to shoot 75," said Nauert, as the Wildcats finished fifth as a team despite missing one of their best, Jack Ferguson, who couldn't play due to illness.

"Still I can't be disappointed with an 80. This will make us even more confident going into the playoffs. I"ve just got to keep the swing going strong."

Scott Galletano of Hoffman, Prospect's Matt Maloney, and Johnny McNulty of Barrington each shot 81 to share the ninth place medal.

TJ Wrzesinski (85) was best for Buffalo Grove; NIkhil Patel (85) led Conant; Dilli Adam (85) scored for Elk Grove; and Kevin Brawley (86) was tops for Hersey.

Bryan Bartyzel of Palatine also carded an 85 as did Kyle Gentile of Rolling Meadows, while Nick Schiavi (82) and Jimmy Cook (82) contributed to the Barrington cause.

Cael Kiess shot 82 and Sokolik assisted with 84 for the streaking Knights, who now can head into next week's playoffs with an extra shot of confidence after the win.

"It's going to be tough," said Martindale. "We're in a difficult regional with the likes of Fremd, St. Viator, Hersey and Hoffman Estates, but we took it upon ourselves to reinvent ourselves this year, so we're hoping for the best.

"Right now we're just going to take this (the MSL title) in and enjoy it."