Wheaton Academy 1 shot out of lead; Saints boys 6th
Blake Biddle and David Flynn braved the elements, and the Wheaton Academy seniors' quest for history is well within reach after first-round action of the Class 2A boys golf state tournament in Normal on Friday.
Flynn, the defending individual champion, and UNLV-bound Biddle are in a four-way tie for the lead after firing 4-over-par 75s at the ISU Weibring Golf Club.
"Probably the worst weather I've ever played in," said Biddle, the lone player to break par on either side with his inward-nine 34. "When we teed off it was 41 degrees with a wind chill of 33. On the 10th hole it started sleeting. I'm glad I came back to help the team."
The Warriors are a shot back of Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, 318-319, as the squad seeks the first state title for a boys program in school history.
"Blake and I both know we can do better," said Flynn. "We know we have the ability to surpass anyone here. I had a hard time getting into a comfortable rhythm today. I was just trying to avoid the big numbers."
At The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington, Upstate Eight Conference rivals St. Charles East and Waubonsie Valley are still in contention for a team trophy.
"Eighty was a tough score today," said St. Charles East coach John Stock. "We were looking for a fourth score. When you count an 88, you figure you're dead. We're not dead. We'll leave it all on the golf course (today)."
St. Charles East senior Tom Laudadio fired a 75 to forge a four-way tie for third individually as the Saints' 321 total left them in a sixth-place deadlock with Lyons.
Josh Stefanski was the low man for Waubonsie Valley with a 78; the Warriors were in eighth place with a 322.
"Disappointing overall," said Waubonsie Valley coach Dave Owles. "We're not completely out of it. We had a real opportunity and didn't take advantage of it."
Two-time defending champion St. Viator and its senior standout, Danny Stringfellow, lead the field with respective rounds of 308 and 69.
At the girls Class AA state finals in Carbondale, Kaneland junior Hayley Guyton is two back of defending champion Kris Yoo after posting a 3-over-par 75.
"Her lag putting was great," Kaneland coach Mark Meyer said of the three-time finalist. "She didn't have any 3-putts. It was just a very steady (round)."
The worst fears of St. Charles East were realized in the team competition, where Homewood-Flossmoor holds a commanding lead.
"I don't know what happened," said St. Charles East coach Rod Osborne after his squad had its worst showing of the year with a 351. "It's the nature of the game, I guess. Nobody played well."
The Saints are in seventh place.
Batavia's Tara Cullerton and Kayla Stueland of St. Francis are both tied for 34th after shooting 83s.
Five shots separates Hinsdale Central, Normal U-High and WW South for third place as the Devils' 330 left them in the final trophy position.
"I think we played pretty well," WW South coach Art Tang said after Sarah Skurla paced the team with a 78.