Boys golf: Quinn's 69 leads Hersey to regional title
According to Hersey boys golf coach Dan Caporusso, Huskies junior Henry Quinn is "devoted" to the game of golf.
"In basketball, there's a gym rat, the guy who shoots hoops all day and all night," said Caporusso. "Henry is a golf rat. He never leaves the chipping green, he never leaves the driving range, he never leaves the golf course - he loves it.
"He has a passion," added Caporusso, "and passion is huge in any athletic endeavor. That might be the most important thing. The strongest club in his bag is his passion for golf."
Monday at the Class 3A Hersey regional at Old Orchard, Quinn showed how far that passion has brought him.
The junior shot a 1-under par 69 in Mount Prospect to win medalist honors, and in doing so led his team to a sectional qualification.
Hersey won the regional, which it hosted, with a score of 297.
"This is one competitive meet," added Caprusso. "One of the tougher regionals around. To win this is another feather in his cap."
The Huskies will move on to next Monday's DeKalb sectional at Kishwaukee Country Club, along with runner-up Barrington (310) and third-place finisher Prospect (311).
Sean Markham led Barrington with a 74, while Cole Lannert paced Prospect by carding a 76.
Tyler Irwin (74), Tyler Haas (75) and Max Sheldon (79) counted scores for the champion Huskies.
"I had two birdies today," said Quinn, "but the great thing is that I was bogey-free until the 17th hole. I was just stringing together pars. I've played this course hundreds of times, and know where to miss it and where not to. That gave me a little comfort. I was nervous starting out but that played to my advantage.
"I didn't want to let up at all today. I know we're a good team, but we were a little unpredictable at the start of the season. I think we've really come together at the end of the season and have become a great team."
Dominic Scaletta (78), Ian Bouchard (78) and Brock Dickson (80) all contributed to the Broncos' qualification, while Danny McKenna (78), Nathan Chung (78) and Sam Ergastola (79) helped the Knights move on.
Seniors Michael Zolna and Seth Heidkamp shot 81 for Hersey.
"Everything played to our advantage today," said Heidkamp. "We know the strategy for playing Old Orchard. We all came here with the mindset we were going to shoot under 320, and with the 297 we really broke through today."
North Shore schools dominated the individual qualifications for Kishwaukee, as Highland Park saw four golfers move on and Deerfield had two advance.
Ryan Higgins of Fremd (75), Dori Lee from Buffalo Grove (75), Conrad Bloom of Palatine (77) and Pirates teammate Matthew Haddad (81) will all move on as well.
"I had a goal today to have a nice easy tee shot," said Bloom, "get to the green on the next shot and two-putt. I feel that for the most part I did that.
"My teammates helped me out today, and I'd do the same for them. I think that overall, my self-discipline and control have improved. Everyone's going to hit bad shots from time to time, but discipline and self-control can separate a good golfer from a great golfer."