Prospect’s Garmoe to join Yoo at Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin currently features an Illinois high school state golf champion from the Mid-Suburban League.
Now the Badgers’ roster will include a member of an Illinois state championship team.
Prospect senior Christine Garmoe, who played a major role on Prospect’s 2011 Class AA state champion, has committed to the Big Ten school in Madison.
She will be joining former Conant star Kris Yoo, who won Illinois’ Class AA crown in 2010.
“I am extremely excited to be playing in the Big Ten,” Garmoe said. “Wisconsin has a great women’s golf program and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play for the Badgers.”
Garmoe visited many Big Ten campuses but felt she fit in best at Wisconsin.
“Madison is a great city and the campus is beautiful,” she said. “After talking to an academic advisor and coach (Todd) Oehrlein, I felt very comfortable at Wisconsin.”
Garmoe was never paired with Yoo in a high school meet.
“Now that I know I am going to Wisconsin, I am looking forward to playing with Kris and also meeting my new teammates,” said Garmoe, who plans to major in pharmacy.
Garmoe, a four-year varsity player, will be missed at Prospect.
“Christine’s contributions to Prospect girls golf are not measurable,” said Knights coach Jim Hamann. “Her teams never lost an MSL contest. Her leadership and work ethic was outstanding these past few years. She deserves this opportunity.”
Garmoe earned it through years of dedication to the game she began playing at the age of 10.
“My parents got me started when they bought me a set of clubs for Christmas that year,” Garmoe said. “I would always play at the par-3 course, Nickol Knoll, in Arlington Heights or go to the driving range at River Trails.”
Her father Ned always loved the game. In fact, he was a part of PGA Tour history.
Ned was caddying for Lee Trevino at the 1975 Western Open when the winner of six majors was struck by lightning.
“Although it was a very memorable experience for my dad, unfortunately it was not for Trevino,” Garmoe said. “My dad was able to caddy for Trevino because at the time the Western Open did not allow the golfers to use their professional caddies.”
Little did Ned know at the time he’d be watching a daughter playing golf for Wisconsin some 37 years later.
Christine came into Prospect as a freshman shooting in the low 50s for nine holes.
“And to be leaving Prospect as a Big Ten golfer is outstanding,” Hamann said. “Our coaching staff is so proud of her accomplishments. The hardest thing for us coaches is saying goodbye to our three seniors (Garmoe, Allison Walsh and Sarah Scaccia). Without their leadership and positive energy, we would not have had the success we had in 2011.”
Garmoe won a school-record 44th straight match in a Mid-Suburban League dual meet against Barrington last fall.
Garmoe leaves the Knights’ program as a co-owner of the school record for 18 holes. Her 73 is tied with Allison Walsh (2011 AA state champ), Karly Grouwinkel and Michelle Caporusso.
Walsh committed to Bradley last fall.
“Our coaching staff gets the most reward from watching all of our young ladies grow and improve,” Hamann said. “I am very happy for Christine and for Wisconsin. Christine is accomplishing a goal that she set for herself a couple of years ago — playing Big Ten golf.”
It’s a bonus that she will play in Madison.
“Because Wisconsin was at the top of her list,” Hamann said. “Christine bought in to what she needed to do in order to improve and become a D-I golfer. I am so proud of Christine and so very happy for her.”
“I am also very happy for coach Todd Oehrlein for landing Christine. They are getting a state champion and one fantastic young lady. Christine will fit in great. She is a very hard worker and an excellent student. She is going to keep improving and will have one of the best short games on the team.”
Football
MIT freshman Justin Wallace (Fremd) was named “Offensive Rookie of the Year” for the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference as an NCAA Division III North all-star.
It marks the first time that a MIT football player has earned the honor.
Wallace, who was also named the Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Boyd Division of the New England Football Conference, led the Engineers in rushing with 981 yards and gained 109.0 yards per game.
He rushed for 100 yards four times, with a high of 190 in MIT’s 23-0 win over Nichols. Finishing fourth in the NEFC in rushing, he led all freshmen nationally in Division III in yards per game.
Men’s basketball
Lakeland senior Eric Vandivier (Prospect) finished with 10 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in a 101-92 win over Benedictine in a Northern Athletics Conference South Division contest.
Vandivier iced the game for the Muskies when he converted 4 free throws to increase the lead to 10 points with 17 seconds left.
Ÿ Washington (Mo.) sophomore Alan Aboona (St. Viator) tied his career-high of 16 points (10-of-11 free throws) and he had 5 assists and 4 rebounds in a 92-83 victory for the No. 25 Bears at No. 17 Emory in Atlanta.
Aboona’s 3-pointer with 7:52 to play tied the game at 30-30. Then he made 4 straight free throws to get the lead to one 34-33. The free throws ignited a 9-0 run by the Bears as they took a 39-33 lead.
Women’s track
Mandy Streu (Rolling Meadows) threw the shot put 48 feet, ¾ inch for St. Ambrose at the Jim Green Invite She currently ranks No. 1 in the NAIA.
Illinois Magic
The Illinois Magic announced its spring travel basketball tryouts. Visit the website for tryout and program information at www.magicbball.org. Email info@martydellobasketball.com for all questions about the Illinois Magic AAU Basketball Club, which has been in operation for 12 years.
Ÿ Please email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com or FAX to (847) 427-1173.