The moments local athletes shined during this school year

The tradition continues.

Like we've done for many years, it's time to unveil the top 10 moments of the 2009-10 school year for DuPage County boys athletics. You might want to save an extra spot for Wheaton Warrenville South playing in this weekend's state volleyball tournament as well as the Immaculate Conception, Naperville Central and Wheaton North baseball teams still competing in the playoffs.

Next week, Josh Welge will introduce the top 10 moments for girls.

Oct. 17, 2009: BLOOMINGTON - The journey is a little scary, but Wheaton Academy recovers to share the Class 2A boys golf team state championship with Normal U-High. It's the Warriors' first title in their fourth state appearance in the previous five years.

Senior David Flynn, the 2008 individual champion, places sixth in the individual standings. Fellow senior Blake Biddle sinks a 10-foot putt on the final hole to seal the team title.

Oct. 31, 2009: NAPERVILLE - It had to end sometime, right? After more than 100 minutes of soccer, you had to wonder.

Timothy Christian's Corey Phillip ends the drama, however, by scoring in the 111th minute of the Class 1A state title game and giving the Trojans a 2-1 quadruple overtime win over Gibault Catholic.

After finishing second in the state in 2008, the soccer team wins the first boys championship in Timothy Christian history.

Nov. 7, 2009: PEORIA - Detweiller Park is kind to Neuqua Valley, which places five runners in the top 35 to win the Class 3A state cross country title. The crown matches the one the Wildcats wore in 2008.

Wildcats senior Aaron Beattie leads the charge by finishing fourth in the race, just behind Andrew Smith and Jack Driggs of York, which is third in the team standings.

Nov. 28, 2009: CHAMPAIGN - No doubt about it. Montini's football team was going for the win in the Class 5A state title game.

The Broncos cap a 9-play, 83-yard drive with a touchdown pass from Brandon Pechloff to Christian Westerkamp to pull them within 28-27 of powerhouse Joliet Catholic with 32 seconds left.

Instead of going for the extra point, however, Montini goes for the win ... and gets it. Pechloff again connects with Westerkamp to give the Broncos a stunning 29-28 win over the favored Hilltoppers.

Nov. 28, 2009: CHAMPAIGN - Debatable, yes, but the double-overtime Class 7A state title game between Wheaton Warrenville South and Glenbard West may be the greatest in DuPage County football history.

In the 65th meeting between the storied rivals, WW South takes a 31-24 lead over the Hilltoppers in the second overtime on four straight runs capped by a 1-yarder into the end zone by Matt Rogers.

The Tigers clinch their sixth championship when the defense thwarts Glenbard West on a run and three incomplete passes to end the game.

Feb. 20 and Feb. 27, 2010: CHAMPAIGN and BLOOMINGTON - Montini's wrestlers again dominate the Class 2A individual state tournament with four champions. KeVon Powell wins at 103 pounds, 130 goes to Colton Rasche, Steve Robinson wins at 140 and Brandon McBride claims the title at 152 pounds.

In Class 3A Glenbard North's Joey Gosinski wins the crown at 125 pounds and Willowbrook's Steve Congenie claims the 152-pound title.

The following weekend Montini gives the perfect farewell present to coach Mike Bukovsky, who recently stepped down. The Broncos beat Crystal Lake Central 47-19 - their closest match of the weekend - to win the Class 2A dual team title. It's the program's eighth overall title and third straight.

Feb. 27, 2010: EVANSTON - Naperville rules the pool in the state swimming and diving meet. Naperville Central jumps from third place to first place in the meet's final race, winning the 400-yard freestyle relay and the team title in one fell swoop.

The Redhawks' 156 points edges Neuqua Valley's 153. Naperville North places third with 102.5 points.

In addition to Neuqua Valley's win in the 200 medley relay, Wildcats senior Grant Betulius wins the 100 backstroke championship. Hinsdale Central's Danny Thomson wins the 500 free and Hinsdale South's Jordan Dyson is the diving champion.

May 15-16, 2010: FRANKFORT - York's Caleb Strejc piles up 55.400 points en route to the all-around title in the state gymnastics meet. Strejc also claims a share of the parallel bars title while Willowbrook's Nikko Winstead ties for first in the horizontal bar competition.

May 29, 2010: ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - For the second straight year, Hinsdale Central seniors Ian Tesmond and Dan Ballantine win the doubles championship in the state tennis tournament. Their repeat allows the Red Devils to finish second in the team standings.

May 29, 2010: CHARLESTON - What a weekend for DuPage County track fans.

Lake Park wins the Class 3A team title, with York and Neuqua Valley following right behind in the standings.

Good news abounds in the meet, starting with the 2A title won by Glenbard South's Garret Payne in the 400-meter dash. In 3A Glenbard East wins the 3,200 relay and Neuqua Valley wins the 1,600 relay.

Lake Park's Zach Ziemek claims the pole vault title while teammate Jermaine Kline wins in the shot put. The long jump goes to Downers Grove South's Shane Molidor, Waubonsie Valley's James Davenport wins in the high jump and York's Andrew Smith is victorious in the 3,200.

kschmit@dailyherald.com