St. Francis' Armbrust takes individual title
Luke Armbrust had to exchange individual goals for the team experience from a year ago.
But it could not have been a better junior campaign for the St. Francis junior.
At the Class 2A boys golf tournament at the Illinois State University Weibring course on Saturday in Normal, Armbrust had critical pars on his final two holes to win the individual title by a stroke over Carmel senior Tyler Anderson.
Armbrust was instrumental in St. Francis' runner-up team finish last fall.
Playing the front nine in a flawless 2-under-par 34, Armbrust fired a 39 on his home nine to record a 73 and two-day total of 147.
"I knew I was in good position (at the turn)," Armbrust said. "I obviously had a very good front nine. My driver didn't help me on the back nine. I made three straight bogeys. My coach (Greg Baresel) did a good job of keeping me calm. I parred the last two holes to win by one."
Normal U-High, the state-record holder with seven straight championships, staged a last-minute rally to edge Marmion 624-630 for the team title.
But Hinsdale Central is certainly making a push at U-High.
Brendan O'Reilly ended a truly remarkable tenure for the Red Devils on Saturday at the Class 3A tournament at the Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington.
The Illinois recruit added an individual championship with his two-round total of 2-under 142 to supplement team titles all four years.
The Red Devils easily captured their fifth straight championship with a 593-618 victory over New Trier.
"I was really excited for my team and myself," O'Reilly said. "I took the right risks at the right time. I made a lot of putts."
Wheaton Warrenville South was unable to better its first-day performance.
Justin Seymour had an eagle to highlight his team-best round of 77 for WW South.
The junior finished tied for 23rd.
Connor Dole, Jack Lillig, Cooper Kohoot and Joe Donzelli had rounds of between 80 and 83 for the Tigers, who had rounds of 321 and 323 to place 10 out of 12 teams.
"We certainly wanted to play better," WW South coach Jimmy Selleck said. "That's for sure. We finished the year on a high note."