Fremd frosh Rosenzweig helps Vikings take 3rd

Fremd freshman Josh Rosenzweig wasn't about to be disappointed by shooting a 77 at Monday's Inverness Invitational.

Even though a case of nerves on the final hole - not unusual for a frosh playing in one of his first prep tournaments - led to a double bogey and a lost chance at an even lower score.

Rosenzweig's stellar round, which included a sparkling 36 on the back nine, was still good for the seventh-place individual medal and helped boost the Vikings to a third-place team finish at their own tourney.

Two North Shore powerhouses, New Trier and Glenbrook North, finished 1-2 in the invite - with Trevians and Spartans golfers claiming the top four medals - led by New Trier's Jimmy Slovitt with a meet-best 73.

"I was shaking at the tee on the last hole," said Rosenzweig. "I think the pressure of shooting such a good score got to me."

Fremd coach Josh Teschner wasn't surprised by the freshman's solid round.

"Once he learns to choose when to use his aggressiveness he'll find himself moving up to the top of the leaderboard," Teschner said.

Rosenzweig credits his teammates for helping ease his transition into high school golf.

"I've got a great supporting cast around me," Resenzweig said. "They help calm me down when I get a little crazy."

A cast that includes some experienced Vikings who have been playing extremely well, including Brad Beutler (79) and Brad Peterson (80) - both of whom made big contributions at Inverness.

"We just got Brad Beutler back from injury, and I think if we'd had him earlier in the year some of our second-place finishes, like at Addison Trail, would have been moved up to first," Teschner said

"We've also got Brad Peterson playing as well right now as any golfer I've had in the four years I've been here, and Jackson (Tworek) is playing great as well."

St. Viator senior Joe Ward tied for the third-best score of the day at 75, claiming the fifth-place individual medal.

"We've got lot of great golfers on our team this year," said Ward. "We're all fighting to earn our spots."

It was also another good day for defending MSL champion Prospect, as the Knights' Jeff Blethen (78) finished eighth and Derek Leeney (78) was 10th to take medals.

"This is a tough course," said Prospect coach Tom Martindale, "and the guys played extremely well."

Ryan Starkman of Hersey fired a 76 to earn the sixth-place medal.