New Trier
Matt Murlick made it clear that the Trevians are out to unseat Hinsdale Central, the three-time defending Class 3A state champions.
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“Everybody better watch out,” the senior said. “I am really excited about our team. We have at least five guys who can post scores better than 75, and we are all very consistent.”
The arrival of sophomore Bennett Cotten should help the Trevians challenge the Red Devils. Cotten, who finished fifth at state and was a sectional champion a year ago, has transferred from Loyola to New Trier.
“I’ve known him for a while,” Murlick said. “We play all the time together. It’s great to have him. We are going to have four strong players.”
But Murlick, who was in the state lineup for New Trier’s runner-up finish a year ago, said it’s too soon to say the team will win its first state title since 2003. Last season was the fifth time the Trevians have been second in the state since last winning the top trophy.
“Everybody thinks about winning the state title, but we have to focus on one tournament at a time,” said Murlick, who tied for 29th at state last year. “But we do have the potential to do it.”
In addition to Murlick and Cotten, the Trevians also should have senior Andrew Huber (tied for sixth at 2014 state tournament) and junior Justin Choi (tied for 12th) in their lineup.
Glenbrook North
The Spartans graduated three players from last year’s state lineup, including their top two finishers (Matt Kull and Tyler Mulier). But like any good program, Glenbrook North has demonstrated that it doesn’t rebuild as much as reload.
Varsity veterans Daniel Cole, a senior, and Charlie Van Cleave, a junior, are expected to pace the Spartans in 2015.
“Both have had good summers and should be our top two,” Glenbrook North coach Justin Gerbich said.
Cole (85-77 — 162) and Van Cleave (78-85 — 163) played integral roles in the Spartans tying for ninth at the Class 3A state tournament in 2014, a year after Nick Hardy (who made the cut at the 2015 U.S. Open) and Brian Oh (the 2013 Class 3A state champion) graduated.
Cole and Van Cleave shouldn’t be the only ones posting low scores this fall. Gerbich, who’s taken the Spartans to three consecutive Class 3A state tournaments and four in the last five seasons, said he might have some depth down his roster.
“We will be decent, maybe not quite as good as last year, but we will see,” Gerbich said.
Loyola
The Ramblers will have a new No. 1 player this year after Bennett Cotten transferred to New Trier before his sophomore season.
Loyola coach Tim Kane said junior Connor Prassas can be that player, even though he was not in the top six at the end of last year when the Ramblers tied for ninth at the Class 3A state tournament.
Other contributors could include seniors Michael Banas and Matt Jacobson and sophomores John Kryscio and Chip Savarie, another player who was out of the top six by last season’s end.
Jacobson is the wild card, according to Kane, who said Jacobson plays his best at the biggest tournaments. He tied Cotten’s 71 at the sectional tournament at Winnetka Golf Club, but he lost in a playoff for the individual title.
“Any year I would be disappointed to not make it to the state tournament,” Kane said. “I never expect it, but it’s something we always strive for.”
North Shore Country Day
Big changes abound in the Raiders golf program.
Joe Bosco, the architect of two state titles and two runner-up finishes in the last four seasons, stepped down as coach. Cy Oelerich, an assistant under Bosco last year, takes over for him.
Another change is that the IHSA moved North Shore Country Day up to Class 2A based on its past success at the Class 1A state tournament. The Raiders won state titles in 2011 and 2012.
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But with three returning all-Independent School League selections in seniors Drew Miles and Charlie MacVicar and junior Will Madigan, Oelerich said he doesn’t anticipate a letdown this year.
“I believe we have the team to continue the trend,” Oelerich said.
Twitter: @harnesspreps