Cisco's 69 helps Geneva win own invite

Hayley Guyton ceased being a novelty long ago.

"I would trade half my team for her," Geneva boys golf coach Bill Koehn said. "I have been doing this (coaching) for 27 years, and she is one of the few players that I follow. She is one class act."

"Twenty-one (the number of teams at the Geneva Invitational on Thursday at Mill Creek Golf Course) times six (the number of players per team), that's 126 golfers," marveled St. Charles East coach John Stock. "And there were only two scores better."

Geneva senior Andrew Cisco propelled the host Vikings to the tournament title with a 2-under-par 69, edging West Chicago senior Robbie Windisch by a stroke for top honors.

But it was Guyton, the defending Class AA state runner-up at the girls state tournament last fall, who once again was the center of attention.

The Kaneland senior, playing in her customary No. 1 slot for the Knights, was one of eight players to fashion a 1-over-par 72 under ideal conditions in Geneva.

"I'm starting to get used to it now," Guyton said of her role as the Knights' top-ranked player. "I was able to stay consistent and not get too nervous. I didn't have a ton of par saves. I didn't do any crazy shots."

"I have been impressed with (Guyton) ever since she was a freshman," St. Charles North coach Rob Prentiss said. "She is a credit to high school golf."

With Guyton, who had back-to-back birdies on her inward nine to highlight her round, trailblazing the tight and demanding layout at Mill Creek, Cisco and his teammates headlined what was otherwise a showcase performance of the newly expanded Upstate Eight Conference.

The Vikings' six players were all in the 70s as Cisco missed tying his competitive low round by a stroke in turning back Windisch.

Geneva was collectively 3-over par in its 291-295 triumph over St. Charles East, the reigning team state qualifier making its season debut.

Bartlett had five players eclipse the 80 barrier to finish third at 297; the Vikings' second squad, led by an excellent 72 from Ben Kale, was fourth at 300.

Batavia was fifth, followed by Burlington Central, Marmion, Palatine, St. Charles North, South Elgin, York, Kaneland, Larkin, West Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Glenbard South and Elgin.

"More than anything I just played smart," Cisco said. "I minimized my mistakes. I knew there are birdies out here. I'm probably more excited that my team won."

Matt Landry was in the eight-way tie for third place with his 1-over-par effort, and Vikings' team total was concluded with a 74 from Jeff Lapetina and a 76 from Adam Milano.

"I feel good about where we are right now," said Koehn. "I have to keep an eye on St. Charles East; they're in our division."

The Saints, with three players returning from its state contingent, were paced by Nick Maze and Jordan Wetsch, who fired respective rounds of 72 and 73.

"It's perfect conditions," Wetsch said. "My putting was off. I missed about 10 10-footers."

Matt Fazio led Marmion with a 72; Nate Clark and John Carroll had matching 74s for St. Charles North.

Lucas Kuzmanic was also 3-over par to pace Batavia.

Bartlett continued its exceptional start to the season; its entire lineup was among the 43 players in the 70s.

Senior Mike Marciniak led the way with a 72.

"I was putting very well," Marciniak said. "On the back nine I was making everything that I looked at. That's what kept me in it."

The Hawks, who received contributing scores from Ryan Wolf (73), Ryan Starks (75) and Colin Wadlin (77), were 3 shots below the magical 300 team barrier.

"I tell people all the time that the Upstate Eight Conference has a lot of good golfers," Bartlett coach Tommy Boyle said.

Matt Allison led Burlington Central, which was sixth, with a ubiquitous 72.

"Good competition, that's all I have to say," Allison said. "I fixed my swing after the Larkin tournament (on Wednesday at the Highlands)."

Ryan Pondel was the low man for South Elgin with a 72; Lucas Hayes' 77 did likewise for Larkin.

Windisch took a conservative route in touring the course in red numbers.

"I didn't pull a driver all day," the West Chicago senior said. "I didn't try to force anything. I was just consistent (off the tee), hitting fairways. I hit 16 greens (in regulation)."

Cully Leverenz and Kyle Chrisholm produced two of the seven 3-over-par 74s to lead Palatine.

"I just had a good round, making a lot of good putts," Leverenz said. "It was definitely one of my best (competitive rounds)."

Hoffman Estates' Jon Pape paced his squad with an 81.