Marmion makes dramatic run
NORMAL — Marmion had a plan when its team members prepared for second-day action of the Class 2A boys golf state finals.
“We were 10 shots (back for third place),” said Marmion junior and Geneva resident Liam Creamer. “We wanted to play our best and do it for the team.”
The Cadets stormed out of a congested pack Saturday morning and afternoon at the Weibring Golf Club, leapfrogging three schools to finish runner-up to Belleview Althoff Catholic (624 total).
The Cadets (638) raced past Lemont (640), Hillsboro (646) and Washington (659) to earn their highest finish in program history.
“I knew we had the depth and firepower to make a run,” Marmion coach Doug Roberts said. “(I) have had a pretty casual relationship (with the players). We connect pretty well.”
The improbable Marmion comeback began when Marshall Kanute survived a late double-bogey to post an 81 on the par-71 layout.
“I chunked it right in the water,” the St. Charles resident said of his iron in the hazard on the par-3 17th. “(My round) was a lot better than (Friday).”
Marmion, though, had its fortunes improve considerably when Zach Woytych followed Kanute with a round of 77.
“(I) struggled totally (on Friday),” Woytych said of his travails on the greens. “I got the speed down today and got it in the hole.”
Creamer, playing from the second position, added the Cadets’ third counting score with an 80.
That putt Matt Fazio in center stage.
The Cadets’ only returning state qualifier has been through three agonizing months after being diagnosed with cancer over the summer.
The senior endured two mentally and physically draining surgeries that delayed his return to the team.
But Fazio had a triumphal conclusion to his prep career, chipping in twice — once for birdie and the other to save par — to finish with a 4-over 75.
The Cadets’ 313 total left them at 638 for the two days; the four teams in front of them were reduced to one in the unyielding winds and bright sunshine that dominated play all weekend.
“If we could get 5 shots better (than Friday) per man, we would put ourselves in position,” Fazio said. “We did our work. (The twin cancer surgeries and recovery) have been so stressful. It was really emotional for me and the rest of the team.”
Fazio earned all-state recognition with his seventh-place tie at 152.
At the Class 3A tournament in Bloomington, Geneva senior Bill Gregory, the only area qualifier, fired a second straight 86.
Lake Forest not only defended its team title but also produced the individual champion in Joe Willis, who was at even-par 144 for the championship.
Girls state: Ariana Furrie had the low finish among the four girls at the Class AA tournament in Forsyth.The St. Charles North junior fired a 79 to edge local entrants Paige Jordan (St. Charles East), Abby Lichtenberg (Geneva) and Tara Cullerton (Batavia) for best two-day total.