Something for Everyone at Plainfield Central Regional

ROMEOVILLE -- Eight of the nine teams walked away with something to cheer about after play in the Class 3A Plainfield Central Regional Tuesday at Mistwood Golf Course.

Lockport, Plainfield Central and Bolingbrook and a host of individuals earned berths in the Edwardsville Sectional Monday at Oakbrook Golf Course in Edwardsville.

Lockport returns to the sectional as a team after a two-year hiatus. The Porters advanced to the sectional tournament four straight years earlier this decade.

But Plainfield Central and Bolingbrook wrote the stories behind the story. The host Wildcats advanced for the first time in 16 years, while the Raiders achieved a milestone by reaching the sectional for the first time in school history.

"It's still hard to believe because we've never had a team advance to the sectional," Bolingbrook coach Chuck Marik said. "To be honest, we've never been close."

Pushing the Raiders over the top was David Cooke, who shot a 76 to finish second individually. As a team, Bolingbrook shot a 351.

"I knew it was going to be a matter of one or two strokes," Marik said. "He's been the team leader all year and shot a 76."

"This is exciting," Cooke said. "This is something I didn't expect at all. It was a one-in-100 chance. It's awesome. It makes this day a whole lot better, that's for sure."

Plainfield Central shot a 336 after No. 1 golfer Mitch Young was disqualified, then reinstated after losing his ball on the 14th hole.

"The guys are kind of feeling bittersweet about it," Central coach Darren Kobliska said. "We wanted to win the tournament on our home course. We beat Lockport about a week ago and thought we had an edge today. Coming in second is not so bad because this is the first time in 16 years we've advanced."

"It was pretty nerve-wracking," Young said. "I thought I let my team down, but it turned out great."

"It was a difficult course and the guys hung in there," Lockport coach George Brecheisen said. "Our No. 1 had a tough day, but the other five guys came through."

Coming through for the Porters were Zach Trent (81), Adam Zmikly (82), Jake Hertzmann (83) and Cody Temper (84).

"Zach ran into a little bit of trouble on the last three holes and struggled a little bit," Brecheisen said. "But he had some good things working on that back nine."

"It feels great that we ended up winning it," Hertzmann said. "We're going back to sectionals, following in the footsteps of the teams before us. I'm glad it worked out, and I'm glad everybody shot as well as they did."

Bolingbrook shot 10 strokes better than it did at the Southwest Suburban Conference Blue Division meet last week at Wedgewood Golf Course in Joliet.

"The kids hung in there," Marik said. "Matt Obzera (91) shot his best round of the year. Adam D'Virgilio, a freshman, came out of nowhere with an 85 … I'm still kind of in shock. It feels great. I couldn't be more proud of them."

 "I have no idea what the sectional's going to be like, but it's going to be pretty cool," Cooke said. "It's going to be fun and I'm looking forward to it."

Young's trouble came on the 14th hole. In question was whether a ball was lost or not. After conferring with the Illinois High School Association and officials at Mistwood, Young's 80 counted in the Wildcats' total.

"I was really nervous," Young said.

"I asked the guys how old they were and one of them wasn't even born yet and a couple of them were 1-year-old," Kobliska said of the last time the Wildcats competed in a boys golf sectional.

"Even with all the new schools opening, we're the first school to advance as a team. That's quite an accomplishment. They should be proud of that. Our two goals were to win conference and advance to the sectional. We're fortunate to accomplish both goals."

"It's a little bittersweet because it's our home course and we wanted that plaque," Young said. "It's a little disappointing, but we still advanced, which is great."

Nick Dylla and Nick Woltkamp each shot 85s for the Wildcats, while John Michalik came in with an 86.

"None of us played that well," Young said. "But it's good to see we've got a lot of depth on this team. That's helped us get this far. That's helped us achieve a lot this year."

Individually, Plainfield North's Nick Corban won the regional championship by carding a 3-over-par, 75, which was one stroke better than Cooke.

"I feel great right now," Corban said. "I never thought I'd be regional champion. I just wanted to qualify. I'm going to sectionals the second year in a row. It's a good feeling."

Corban's plan at the sectional will be to mirror last year's strategy, to a point.

"I'm going to try what I did last year," Corban said. "I'm not going to think about it that much. I'm not going out there to win it. I'm going to play my game and try and qualify. I'm going to try to go out there and shoot a good score."

Fellow Plainfield North senior Caleb Kissel also advanced by shooting an 80.

"Caleb shot good today," Corban said. "I've got a teammate going with me this year, which should be fun."

Plainfield South is sending a record three individuals to the sectional in Matt Ward (84) and brothers Tom and Steve Catalano, who each carded 89s. The cut was 90.

The final area qualifier was the first in school history for Plainfield East as freshman Jake Kaufman shot an 87.