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Boys Golf: Kane County Chronicle boys golf preview capsules

The boys golf season is underway, and here are previews of teams from around the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.

Batavia

Coach: Tim DeBruycker

Top returners: Gavin Newkirk, jr; Myles Prodoehl, sr; Brady Krol, sr

Key newcomer: Henry Saul, jr

Worth noting: Batavia is primed for a solid run in the DuKane Conference, as it returns six of the top eight from last season. Newkirk continues to build a tremendous prep career, earning Conference Player of the Year in 2020, qualifying for sectionals and would’ve had a state qualifying score, if the event was held.

“With six of my top eight back from last year, and a great front-runner with Gavin, we feel we can make a good run in the DuKane Conference,” DeBruycker said.

Burlington Central

Coach: Thomas Davies

Top returners: Tyson Malak, sr; Chaz Rutke, sr; Tyler Haines, sr

Key newcomers: Cody Leon, sr; Ivan Larson, jr; Matthew Lemon, jr

Worth noting: Malak returns as perhaps Central’s top golfer after qualifying for sectionals last year. Malak will be flanked with top depth, as Davies indicates the Rockets have nine individuals who could have top four scores. Central has a senior-heavy team, but could expect good contributions from Leon, Larson and Lemon.

“With a large senior class, I expect us to contend for conference and threaten to make some serious noise during the postseason,” Davies said.

Geneva

Coach: Eric Hatczel

Top returners: Joe Adams, sr; Jesse Balc, jr; Austin Frick, jr

Key newcomers: Krish Shaw, jr; Eli Sladkov, jr; Tyler Quisling, jr

Worth noting: Geneva graduated three top performers last season in Cal McKittrick, Zach Padgett and Carter Williams. Those three were key to securing yet another team regional title. The Vikings return three from last year’s squad, as Adams, Frick and Balc will help insulate several newcomers into the mix.

“This year we build on those three with a number of solid younger players,” Hatczel said. “We look forward to being competitive with other schools in the conference and hopefully make a good run in the post season.”

Kaneland's Josh Pehl tees off during the Class 2A Sandwich Boys Golf regional Monday in Sandwich.

Kaneland’s Josh Pehl tees off during the Class 2A Sandwich Boys Golf regional Monday in Sandwich. (Photos by/)

Kaneland

Coach: Mark Meyer

Top returners: Josh Pehl, sr; Cody Ganzon, sr

Worth noting: The Knights will look to build off of their successful postseason last year, winning both regionals and sectionals as a team. Ganzon was the regional medalist and third at sectionals, so he’ll be a highly-touted and accomplished competitor coming back for the Knights. The graduations of Lucas Pehl and Ryan Milton will be big, but Ganzon and Pehl’s younger brother, Josh should stabilize the next group.

Marmion

Coach: Lou Solarte

Top returners: Charlie Burke, sr; Jude Bohr, sr; Ethan Czerwinski, sr

Key newcomers: Regan Konen, Evan Paganelis.

Worth noting: The Cadets are coming off of a strong 2020 season, earning second as a team in regionals and fourth at sectionals. Burke is a four-year varsity competitor and is the Cadets’ standout. Burke tied for fifth individually at sectionals and will lead a primarily new lineup.

“We have a nice blend of experience and a strong incoming freshman class, we will improve as the season unfolds and look to be a state qualifier,” Solarte said.

St. Charles East

Coach: John Stock

Top returners: James Bundy, sr

Key newcomers: Evan Ites, jr, Sean Kelley, sr

Worth noting: The Saints graduated a bevy of talent in their lineup, including Kane County Chronicle Boys Golfer of the Year Jake Daeschler, Bennett Mortensen and Chris Petri. The Saints will need to be counting on a revamped lineup to maintain their position as one of the top programs in the Conference.

St. Charles North

Coach: Justin Moriarty

Top returners: Clay Heilman, so.; Mason Siegfried, jr; Nick Francesconi, sr

Key newcomers: Aiden Rockwood, Ryan Martin.

Worth noting: The North Stars will be looking to build upon their victory in the conference tournament. Alex Lilly is a notable graduation, but Siegfried returns after being the other North Star to advance to sectionals as an individual. Heilman and Siegfied will figure to be their top duo with other depth expected to contribute on the score sheet.

St. Francis

Coach: Greg Baresel

Top returners: Danny Rice, sr; Kory Carlson, sr; Mike Rourke, sr

Key newcomer James Collie, so.

Worth noting: The Spartans graduated top performer in Zach Mulhearn, which helped lead them to a second place team finish in regionals and he later tied for fifth at sectionals. Gianni Petrillo was another key loss, but the Spartans do return solid experience in Rice and Carlson to lead the next wave.

“Our goal is to compete for the conference title and do our very best to advance in the post season. We always have the goal of making it to state and I can see this being the team that takes us back to Bloomington,” Baresel said.

Source: The Daily Chronicle

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