St. Viator hasn’t made much of an impact in boys golf since 1983, when the Lions, led by Scott Beaugureau’s fifth-place finish, took third in the state finals.
Now two 14-year-old freshmen are giving the Arlington Heights school hope of reaching the finals for the first time since 1999, when it finished 11th.
Brad Klune and Danny Stringfellow each shot 74s in lifting St. Viator to the Class AA Prospect regional title Tuesday.
With sophomore Matt Vitale’s 74 and senior Taylor Krug’s 75, the Lions scored a school-record low 297 in edging Rolling Meadows for the title on a tiebreaker.
“I thought we’d be pretty good,” Stringfellow said. “We knew there was a lot of talent on this team.”
“I thought I was ready to play high school golf,” Klune said. “I wasn’t really worried.”
St. Viator has won three invitationals and the East Suburban Catholic championship and set a school record for a nine-hole tournament with a 141.
Krug’s scoring average of 73 leads the team, while Klune and Stringfellow average 74.St. Viator’s girls golf team reached the sectionals thanks to Klune’s sophomore sister, Kaela, who shot an 80 in the Hoffman Estates regional at Highland Woods on Wednesday.
— Alan Sutton
Decisions, decisions
It’s a versatile swimmer that can choose not to defend a state championship. Naperville Central’s Amy Prestinario is one such swimmer. The junior is keeping her options open–which may or may not include a defense in the 200 individual medley.
“I haven’t narrowed it down to what I’m swimming yet,” said Prestinario, whose times rank with the best in the state in each individual event. “I’ll look at how everyone else is doing, and how I feel with my strokes.”
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Naperville Central has the opportunity for a third straight title. If it doesn’t work out, it won’t be for lack of trying.
“We’re working really hard,” said Prestinario, who also has two relay first-place medals in her career. “I think we’re a top contender for the state title if not a trophy.”
— Dave Surico
900–and counting
St. Francis coach Peg Kopec was quick to share credit after reaching a milestone 900th career volleyball victory last week.
“I started the program and I’ve been through it all,” said Kopec, who has a 906-215-2 record through 30 seasons at the Wheaton school. “But there’s been a lot of talented and dedicated girls and a lot of great assistant coaches.”
Kopec is the second girls volleyball coach in state history to reach 900. The all-time record is 912, held by still-active Helle Dulle of Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin.
— Jack McCarthy