Boys golf: Kaneland edges Waubonsie for Geneva crown

Josh Pehl more than picked up the slack.

With teammates Ryan Milton and Bryce Stair having uncharacteristic off-days for the Kaneland boys golf team, Pehl showcased the Knights' depth in the 18-team field Geneva Invitational Thursday afternoon in St. Charles.

With the field dotted with largest-class programs, Kaneland led three Class 2A boys golf teams in the top five with a 315-318 victory over reigning Class 3A state qualifier Waubonsie Valley at Pheasant Run.

Pehl typified the Knights' consistency with a team-low, 5-over 76 to finish seventh overall.

Lucas Pehl and Hagan Rank had matching 79s for Kaneland; Cody Ganzon fired an 81 to round out the Knights' scorecard.

Highly regarded Waubonsie Valley had to settle for runner-up status despite having the individual champion in senior standout Will Troy, who tied for third at the Class 3A state finals last year, and third-place-winner Jacob Fritsch, who also won a scorecard playoff.

Geneva, another returning team state qualifier, was third at 322, followed by perhaps the most significant collective round in recent Aurora Central Catholic history with a fourth-place 324.

St. Francis, which qualified for the Class 2A finals last October, was fifth at 328.

"I think it was the tournament experience gained throughout the summer," Josh Pehl said of a central key to his play. "I was just competing. I think my mental game was the difference today."

"It's always fun to see how you measure up against those (Class) 3A schools," Kaneland coach Mark Meyer said.

Troy continued his winning ways at major tournaments by outlasting Aurora Central senior Nate Turco after each player completed regulation with a 2-over 73.

"The wind was blowing right to left, left to right," Troy said of the trying conditions. "It was tough to hit solid shots. I struck the ball well and got some putts to drop. I am pretty satisfied with my play."

Fritsch had a transformation at the turn in edging Batavia freshman Gavin Newkirk for third with his 74.

"It was all about the bounce-back," Fritsch said. "I went out 5-over on my front and 3-under on the back. I started trusting myself a little bit more."

"I didn't expect (success) to come this fast," Newkirk said of his coming-out round.

Turco was superlative with his blade on the greens.

One-putting 10 times in his 2-over round, Turco and Austin Miller (82), one of three junior triplets on the Chargers, were the twin anchors of the ACC breakthrough team performance.

"The thing that tied my round together was my putting," Turco said. "It was my Achilles' heel last year. I hit the ball really well."

St. Francis' fifth-place showing had the hallmarks of solid play from Zach Mulhearn and Danny Rice, who had respective of 75 and 78, good for fifth and ninth.

Neuqua Valley was sixth behind Alec Cross' seventh-place 77.

Cross supplanted South Elgin top gun Dilan Patel as the Storm senior settled for eighth with his 6-over total.

Jake Daeschler was the focus of encouragement after an otherwise disappointing performance by St. Charles East.

The senior was fifth with his 4-over 75.

"Off the tee was perfect" Daeschler said. "I hit the green and took my 2-putt for par."