Larkin's Smith in battle for Top 10

BLOOMINGTON - Red numbers were posted in droves on the first day of play at the Class 3A boys golf state tournament at The Den at Fox Creek on Friday afternoon.

Larkin junior Ryan Smith is in position to join the fray.

There were nine players who fired rounds of level par or better, and the Royals' at-large state qualifier is in an equally thick logjam after playing his inward-nine in 35 to finish at 1-over 73.

Smith drained three putts in excess of 20 feet, overcoming bogeys on two of his opening four holes to play his last 14 in 1-under.

Seven players were under par, headed by Quincy senior Parker Freiburg with a 5-under 67.

"I had a lot of pars (15)," Smith said. "I played very steady. If I can make it through the front nine (today), then I can breeze through the back nine."

"The back nine always plays easier here," Bartlett coach Tommy Boyle said.

Cary-Grove junior Matt Efflandt is also making a bid for Top 20 consideration after birdies on two of his last three holes to post a 75.

The evolution of the sport at the prep level, with its attendant gains in technology, athleticism and training, reached new levels at the Bloomington venue.

Four schools were sub-300 in the team competition, and defending champion St. Viator was collectively 3-over-par (291) to build a 5-shot lead over Edwardsville.

"(Some of the pars) felt like birdies," Smith said of his round.

Trace Pomplun was making a return trip for Bartlett; last year the Hawks qualified as a team, and the senior restored his play with a sterling finish down the stretch.

Pomplun went out in 44 and did not record a par after the 11th hole, but three birdies closing out his inward-nine resulted in a 37 and 81 overall.

At the Class 2A tournament at Weibring Golf Club in Normal, Burlington Central senior Sam Schmalz made the most of his afternoon.

Schmalz toured the par-71 layout with composite nine-hole scores of 37 and 38 to finish in a first-day tie for sixth with a 75.

Wheaton Academy junior David Flynn is leading the tournament with a 70.

"I felt like I was scrambling a lot," Schmalz said. "I was getting up and down, and (my) putting was just phenomenal. I want to finish top 10 in the state."

Central senior Peter Cappas was not as fortunate as Schmalz after firing a 12-over performance.

"Eighty-three is pretty good, considering how (poorly) I played," Cappas said.

Hampshire junior Grant Yoder was nothing if not consistent after posting 40-41 nines for an 81.

"I'm not disappointed," Yoder said. "I was a little more excited than nervous (to start). I starting making a few little tweaks and started playing better."

St. Edward freshman Mike Holevas was the lone area competitor at Hickory Ridge in Bloomington for the Class 1A festivities.

"It was just like a regular tournament to me," Holevas said after posting a 79. "I had a lot of missed opportunities where I could have shot lower, but I'll take it for the first round."