JOLIET — While the Morris boys golf team advanced four individuals out of the Joliet Catholic Academy Class 2A Regional on Tuesday, the Redskins felt somewhat deflated after the results were announced. After all, the locals won its first-ever regional a year ago and advancing the whole team out of the Joliet County Club was certainly on everyone's mind.
"When I saw the scores ... I am disappointed in how things turned out," Morris coach Matt Lafond said. "I thought we had a good shot at it coming in and that it was going to be another good day. Then I heard the scores."
Finishing at the top of the pack this year is hosting JCA. The Hilltoppers finished with a team score of 344, which included medalist Nick Lennon's round of 83. After that, Lincoln-Way East and Bishop McNamara also advanced as a team with scores of 353 and 358, respectively.
It takes four to make up a team score, and the Redskins had all four of its top individuals advance — but the team finished fourth with a score of 373.
"We still advanced four guys and from that aspect, I'm happy," Lafond said. "Our season isn't done. We're now hoping that all four can have a good showing in the sectional."
Ryan Borgstom was Morris top golfer as he ended with an 87 (42/45). Also advancing were Trevor Lines with a 94 (44/50), Michael McPherson (47/48) and Justin Larsen 97 (51/46). Nick Verchimak and Logan Steffes also golfed and turned in scores of 100 (51/49) and 105 (52/53), respectively.
Coal City freshman Matt Gubelman also made the cut to the Links of Carillon in Plainfield at the Nazareth Academy Sectional next Monday.
"Coming in, I told the kids that they were probably going to need to shoot a 95 to get out, but the cut ended up being a 98," Coal City coach David Sinkular said. "We're happy to get one out, especially being one of the smallest schools in 2A."
Gubelman ended up at the cut with a 98 exactly with front and back scores of 48/50, respectively. Also shooting for the Coalers were: Jack Scerine 109 (57/52); Alex Wills (104 (50/54); Cody Jerz 119 (54/65); Keegan Thatcher 108 (59/49) and Bailey Durkin 137 (67/70).
"Everyone went out and everything was on time," Sinkular said. "Conditions were a big factor today and the kids were not ready for that. Also, this course is really rough.
"But it was a good day for Matt. He's a freshman and that's obviously good for the team and its future."
Borgstrom said that the wind was a factor on the day.
"The wind definitely effected the ball. It was tough to play out there, but everyone had to play through it," he said. "We had to make it happen today.
"We would have liked to get the whole team out today, but I think we were lucky to get four out. Next week we're going to be hoping for the same thing — to get all four out and go to state. We need a good week of practice before Monday."
