With three-time state qualifier Jack Mulligan headlining the roster, it all starts at the top for Homewood-Flossmoor.
“Typically in sports, you get a trickle-down effect if your leaders are strong,” Vikings coach Chris Stiglic said. “I know we’re going to get a lot of senior leadership because (Mulligan) has taken a huge role in commitment and responsibility.”
The role didn’t come easy for Mulligan, but it was necessary. He decided to take a more vocal approach midway through last season after wanting more from his team.
“He didn’t like the direction the team was going as far as certain individuals taking it as seriously as they should,” Stiglic said. “He took that up on his own.”
Mulligan took it up and H-F took off. The Vikings played some of their best golf down the stretch, upsetting a few strong teams to reach state for the first time since 2009.
“In past years, we’ve had seniors who weren’t as good of leaders or leaders at all,” Mulligan said. “So I felt there needed to be some older kids with experience who are leaders for the kids who haven’t been there as much. I’m not really a vocal person, but I’ve tried to do that because I know it helps.”
It doesn’t hurt that Mulligan can also lead by example. He fired a 75 at the sectional to place fifth in the 112-player field at Balmoral Woods in Crete. A few strokes worse and H-F would have missed the cut for state.
But captain duties should be easier in Mulligan’s last go-around. H-F’s core nucleus returns, including Preston Genett, Kevin Steiner, Jack Calderone and Brent Hughes. Like Mulligan, all four are returning seniors starters keen on making it back to the state finals at The Den at Fox Creek in Bloomington come Oct. 16.
“It helps a lot because other teams might be bringing back two or three, but not five,” said Mulligan, who is in talks with Wofford and several other southern schools about playing in college.
Genett, H-F’s No. 2, expects the Vikings to improve in 2015.
“All six of our guys have the capability of shootings in the 70s,” Genett said. “That’s our goal. It’s a big goal, but I’m pretty optimistic. We’ve got five returning seniors on a six-man team. I think (a top-five finish at state) is very reasonable.
“Personally, I’m hoping to upset teams. I think we can do something magical at state. Knowing these guys and what we did at sectionals, how we upset teams, it could be the same at state. Nobody, even my (personal) golf coach — I won’t say his name because he might read this —thought we had a chance. He said, ‘Eh, you guys have a shot.’ Nobody really thought we’d make it out.”
That’s not the case this year. While three-time defending champion Hinsdale Central will be favored to win another Class 3A state title, several teams could contend.
More Top Picks What Learning Differences Run Together Comorbidities Explained
“We know that we’ve got the team to play well in the postseason if we keep progressing during the season,” Mulligan said.
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
Top 5 Teams
1. Homewood-Flossmoor: With five of six starters back from last season’s trip to state, Vikings are hungry for more postseason success. Jack Mulligan could become a four-time state qualifier.
2. Providence: Ricky Costello (sixth in 3A) and Michael Cascino might be the best 1-2 punch in the Southland, but the Celtics have some holes to fill after graduating four seniors from a team that barely missed a state trophy.
3. Lincoln-Way Central: Returning ace Anthony Bolden leads another competitive lineup for Knights, one of the steadiest programs in the area. Watch out for Matt Kadubeck and Peter Kolyvas.
4. Sandburg: The defending regional champs should be back in the hunt for additional hardware behind Brett Been, Brett Katalinic and Will Schieber, three returning starters capable of leading the Eagles in scoring.
5. Illiana Christian: The Vikings should have plenty of motivation after just missing state last season. They’ve got talent too. Lineup leader Matthew Zandstra is one of four returning starters.
10 Players To Watch
(in alphabetical order)
Anthony Bolden, Lincoln-Way Central, senior; Mike Cascino, Providence, junior; Ricky Costello, Providence, junior; Preston Genett, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior; Brett Katalinic, Sandburg, senior; Jack Mulligan, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior; John Parker, Lockport, junior; Victor Perez, Lincoln-Way East, senior; Will Schieber, Sandburg, junior; Mathew Zandstra, Illiana Christian, senior.