Glenbard West Boys Golf Takes 3rd in Regional

Given its first-place finish at Tuesday's Wheaton Warrenville South boys golf regional, one would never guess that Hinsdale Central came into the 2010 season basically starting from scratch after losing five of its top six players from 2009 to graduation.

But there's no such thing as a rebuilding year for the Red Devils, whose 317 edged second-place Wheaton Warrenville South (319) for the title. Meanwhile, Glenbard West qualified for sectionals as a team for the first time since 2007 by placing third.

The Red Devils had solid performances throughout their lineup, as Kyle Jeske carded a team-best 77, followed by Trevor Jay (79), Harry Boling (80), Jeff Yoo (81), David Whinery (82) and Jarrett Kreger (83).

However, Hinsdale Central coach Jess Krueger was hoping for some lower scores overall from his team as he looks to next Monday's Naperville Central sectional tournament, which will be held at the Naperbrook Golf Course in Plainfield.

We've been good," he said. "I hope that we would have dropped (our scores) a little bit. We had a real nice (West Suburban) conference tournament. I was real happy with that. Now that we're switching to fall golf, the competition changes. I guess we'll have to wait and see what we do."

Wheaton Warrenville South's Tee-K Kelly earned medalist honors for the tournament after defeating Lyons Township's TJ Silvey in a one-hole playoff. Both golfers finished with 75s after 18 holes.

"He (Kelly) had a fine day," said Tigers coach Jimmy Selleck. "We were ready for today, with great conditions (for) playing golf. We got out there and got after it. We would have liked to have finished a little better, but the main thing is that we're alive. The strong survive and we're strong enough today. We're hoping to continue the trend and get better."

Max Channon helped the Tigers' cause by shooting an 80. Jason Plepel and Thomas Jaeschke each fired 82s, while Kyle Gallagher (85) and Nick Popejoy (94) rounded out the lineup.

Now, Selleck and the Tigers turn their attention to Monday's sectional, which Selleck says will be comparable to playing in the state tourney.

"I've heard some refer to that as the state tournament," he said. "The competition will be very high. We look forward to that, and we'll continue to practice and get better, and work toward our goal of getting down to state."

Led by senior Kyle Kochevar's 76, the Hilltoppers nipped fourth-place Lyons Township by just one stroke (320-321).

"That's the way golf is. You've got to keep on grinding," Glenbard West coach Paul Hezlett said. "I was happy with our guys. Even though the scores were a little higher today, they stayed in there and it turned out pretty well."

Trevor Toulouse complemented Kochevar's team-leading round with an 80. Meanwhile, Nic Nogulich shot an 81, and Dan Schlesser had an 83. Pete Norgaard and Jack Saletta finished with an 87 and 89, respectively.

Kochevar, a two-time state qualifier, said he's going into sectionals with a different mindset this year.

"I'm trying not to take it too seriously because last year I did that, and I didn't do so well," said Kochevar, whose twin sister, Brooke, is the No. 1 player on Glenbard West's girls team. "I've just got to think of it as a normal round of golf, and when I do that, I play pretty well. I take it seriously, obviously, but you can't just make it your life."

Wheaton North failed to qualify as a team, but the Falcons will be represented at next week's sectional by three golfers. Adam Onorato qualified with an 83, while Andrew Shadid and Sam Otto punched their tickets to sectionals by each carding 84s.

Downers Grove North coach Jeff Narnszewicz said he was surprised the Trojans didn't fare better on Tuesday. Thomas Murphy registered the Trojans' best round of the day with an 88. Alex Rateike shot an 89.

"We've been aiming for the regional meet the whole season," Narnszewicz said. "The scores we posted today are nowhere near what my guys are capable of doing. They've got to be disappointed. I know I am.

"All of my guys probably shoot 41, 42, 43 for nine holes. I've got guys coming in with 99s. We're talking about guys that are 10 to 12 strokes over what they should be. I didn't expect to come in here and win, but I also didn't expect to finish (next to) last, that's for sure."

Team standings (top 3 teams qualify for sectionals)

1. Hinsdale Central, 317

2. Wheaton Warrenville South, 319

3. Glenbard West, 320

4. Lyons Township, 321

5. Wheaton North, 340

6. West Chicago, 353

7. Willowbrook, 360

8. Downers North, 365

9. Glenbard East, 389

Top 5 Individual Scores

1. Tee-K Kelly, Wheaton Warrenville South—75 (won a one-hole playoff)

2. TJ Silvey, Lyons Township—75

3. Kyle Kochevar, Glenbard West—76

4. Kyle Jeske, Hinsdale Central—77

5. Trevor Jay, Hinsdale Central—79

At-large Individual Sectional Qualifiers

1. TJ Silvey, Lyons Township—75

2. Robby Windisch, West Chicago—80

3. Doug Miceli, Willowbrook—80

4. Charlie Netzel, Lyons Township—80

5. Adam Onorato, Wheaton North—82

6. Ryan Hudson, Lyons Township—83

7. Kevin Carlson, Lyons Township—83

8. Andrew Shadid, Wheaton North—84

9. Sam Otto, Wheaton North—84

10. Kyle Martens, West Chicago—88 (won a two-hole playoff)

(Note: Each regional takes the 10 best individual scores from teams that did notqualify for the sectional (Lyons Township, Wheaton North, etc.). Individual scores from the three teams that qualified for sectionals are not figured into this list, since every golfer (6 per team) from each of the three qualifying teams will be playing at sectionals.)