Boys Golf: Lincoln-Way East claims 3A regional crown
Updated: October 2, 2012 7:44PM
Some regionals are scarier than others.
With nearly half of the field — Crete-Monee, Lemont, Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way East — entering as a conference champion and a slew of other programs boasting standout seasons, the Class 3A Lincoln-Way Central Regional shaped up to be a monster.
The 10-team field didn’t disappoint.
Lincoln-Way East, led by Jake White (74), Matt Coney (75), Victor Perez (76) and Matt Stoner (77), totaled a 302 on a windy Tuesday at The Sanctuary for its second-best total of the year. The Griffins outlasted runner-up Lockport (307) and top-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (316) for the title.
“We knew we had a tough regional. We knew we had to shoot good rounds today,” said White, a sophomore playing in his first regional. “This gives us a lot of confidence moving into sectionals.”
Joliet co-op (325), Providence (327) and Lemont (330) weren’t far behind, but only the top three teams advance to Monday’s Pekin Sectional, along with 10 individuals with the lowest scores from non-qualifying teams.
“This regional could be played 10 times and we could have 10 different winners,” Lincoln-Way East coach Ryan Pohlmann said.
Three sophomores dueled for medalist honors in a one-hole playoff, as Lockport’s Gehrig Hollatz defeated Porters teammate Luke Trent and Joliet’s Trent Wallace and with a birdie on the 18th. All three shot 1-over 73s.
“My back nine was the highlight of my round,” Hollatz said of his 35. “I hit every single green and most of the fairways. I was striking the ball really good.
“This (finish) makes me think I can do well at sectionals.”
Lincoln-Way Central’s Bryant Bolden (74) tied White for fourth. Tony Kestel (77) also put together a solid score for the Knights.
Southland individuals qualifying for sectionals include Providence’s Mickey Brick (76) and Will McCabe (83); Lemont’s Ray Cepele (79), Sam Marzo (82) and Ben Groselak (83); Andrew’s Colin Mangin (82), Crete-Monee’s Miles Bailey (82) and Lincoln-Way North’s John Orowick (83).
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