Boys golf season preview: From Class 3A to 1A, no shortage of teams eyeing state trophies

The three-class IHSA boys golf season is underway and several teams have ambition for a solid season.

Benet is a team on the rise with the return of Jack Quil, Rory Neill, Charlie Davis and Will Mathieson to go along with a strong core of seniors, juniors and sophomores. The Redwings have won the East Suburban Catholic title five times in the last six years, but have to replace all-stater Caden Petersen.

“We expect big things from our team this year,” Benet coach Marty Gaughan said. “The strength of our team will be depth. There will be strong competition for our top six spots. I think our team has a good mix of returnees and young players who will be motivated to make a strong run.”

Barrington, which placed eighth at state last season, is looking for another strong season behind seniors Ben Bundrant, Charlie Blomquist and Mac Hrankowsky and junior Sam Schauenberg.

“We are looking to build around the core returning group of Ben, Charlie, Sam and Mac,” Barrington coach Bryan Tucker said. “All four players gained valuable experience last year, and are hoping to take another step forward.”

Neuqua Valley seniors Daniel Zhang, Brady Chung and Connor Rodebaugh headline the team, with sophomore Alex Chen primed to be a major contributor.

“I love that we have some stud veterans, and also the opportunity for underclassmen to contribute,” Neuqua Valley coach Bart Carbonneau said. “It should be an exciting year.”

Waubonsie Valley enters the season with a new look after eight players graduated from last year’s squad. The Warriors are highlighted by Finus Douglas, Arnav Nanda and Neil Patel, with team captain Aanish Kamdar and Avi Khanduja providing leadership and experience for the young roster.

“With a blend of emerging talent and veteran leadership, we aim to advance to sectionals as a team and return to the state finals,” Waubonsie Valley coach Eric Flodberg said.

Naperville North seniors Trevor Schmidt, Henry Haumesser, Lincoln Schultz, Colin Mills and Zach Zafar headline a team with high aspirations, especially after winning the DuPage Valley Conference and qualifying for sectionals last season.

“We are excited for this season to build on what we did last year and try to make it as a team to state,” Naperville North coach Ryan Hantak said.

Lake Park is coming off of a successful season and is looking for another strong run, led by returning three players that qualified for sectionals last season: Sloan Voytek, Griffin Michalak, and Arjav Shah.

Wheaton Academy is among the top teams in the state after finishing in third place in Class 2A last season.

The team is poised for a run at the state title with the entire team returning, including five of the state’s best golfers. Senior Owen Coniaris, an Auburn recruit, returns to lead a team consisting of sophomore Nick Ratini, juniors Ben Patel and Clayton Barnett are joined by freshman Luke Patel.

Wheaton Warrenville South returns four varsity players, including Quinn McCoyd.

“The team is excited to have the opportunity to grow and best its best for 2026,” Wheaton Warrenville South coach James Selleck said.

Huntley senior Carson Elder is the team leader, while Jovan Bhathal, Jake White and Brayden Christensen are talented underclassmen who are expected to take on larger varsity roles this season, according to coach Brian O’Neill.

“Carson has put in the work and is looking forward to a strong senior season,” O’Neill said. “We’re excited about the growth of Jovan, Jake and Brayden. They each have the ability to step up and contribute.”

Jacobs is led by Logan Henning, a state qualifier, Chase Garden and Brayden Grummer.

“We have a solid team this year with many returning varsity players and young talent,” Jacobs coach Gary Conrad said. “As we mature as a team, we will be one to watch for in the postseason.”

Elgin seniors Josh Lindstrom and Martin Dominquez are key leaders who provide optimism for a solid season for the Maroons.

“We have a strong group of returning players who bring experience, along with several new players who are ready to contribute and grow,” Elgin coach Garrett Mazade said.

St. Charles East has four key returnees from last season, led by state finalist Arnav Patel. Senior Ashton Glisson is coming off a breakout season and Brayden Nguyen and Nate Muscarello also return.

Hinsdale South junior Will Steckel and sophomores Kaelan Tanaka and Sahil Patel make up a young but enticing group, coach John Richerson said.

Glenbard East sophomore Colin Rehnstrom, junior Michael Vercruysse, and Lucas Hernandez and Emillo Torres are the top returnees.

“We hope to compete for an Upstate Eight Conference behind our core top four players,” Glenbard East coach Chris Wienke said.

Fenton senior Patrick Grzywacz and sophomore Max Czajkowski are the main golfers for the Bison.

Aurora Christian lost three of its top six from last season’s sectional team.

“I’m optimistic Wyatt Sifford and Adan Sweeney can step into (bigger) roles,” coach Andy Zorger said. “Sifford has been playing in tournaments all summer, and he seems poised to have a big season for us. I’m hopeful that we can compete for a Class 1A regional title.”

Hersey enters the season with high hopes for a memorable 2026 season after winning the MSL, a regional title and finishing fourth as a team in the state tournament last season.

Henry Esposito, Davis Lockwood and Michael Szabo were all-conference golfers last season, while Colin Lockwood finished 23rd in state last season.

Hoffman Estates is trending upward because of senior Niko Belesiotis and a new group of varsity players in James Montalbano and Dirk Larocca.

IC Catholic welcomes back seniors Evan Madrigal and Sam Rucker and sophomore Sean McDonough to the fold.

“I feel that our seniors consisting of Evan, Mike Orvino, Mike Diaz and Sam Rucker will be excellent leaders for the team and allow us to be successful this season,” IC Catholic coach Michael Dronzek said.

Maine East senior Jenil Patel joins a slew of sophomores with potential to provide first-year coach Jon Kulesza a memorable season.

“Our primary goal for the program is to expand our roster to create competition and depth,” Kulesza said. “We will look to Jenil to help provide stability for our young guys.”

Carmel coach Dave Silbar has high expectations for this season, sparked by senior returnees Ryan DeNapoli, Evan Maze and Ronan Havlis. Juniors Grady Weger and Brody Connolly and sophomore Dante DeFaria round out a talented crew.

Libertyville has a good mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores. Seniors Parker McConnell, Austin Scott and Finn Sullivan headline the team, according to coach Kevin Wall.

Vernon Hills, which won the CSL North and the Class 2A Lake Forest regional last season, graduated six of its top eight golfers. Sophomore Ethan Chang and senior Nic Packee return for the Cougars.

Lakes is loaded with talent capable of defending its Northern Lake County Conference title, mainly due to returning five varsity players, including Brady Cross and Collin Deathrage. Cross, a three-time state qualifier and two-time all-stater, is set for a big season.

“We are returning a majority of our team,” Lakes coach Kyle Baker said. “We are getting ready to continue playing excellent golf throughout this season.”

In Class 1A, Harvest-Westminster Christian from Elgin, which has been renamed River Valley Christian this year, took fourth in state last year at 641, and Timothy Christian from Elmhurst was right behind in fifth at 646.