Charlie Nikitas did his homework.
Knowing the wind might pick up in the afternoon at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates on Monday, Oct. 12, the Glenbrook South junior said a good start was important to a good round.
By making two birdies in his first five holes, Nikitas executed his game plan to perfection on his way to a 1-over 71 and second place at the Class 3A Conant Sectional.
“I had to give myself a cushion because it was going to be slow and a grind out there,” said Nikitas, who was 2 under through five. “But I like when the weather is kind of bad. I feel like half of the field gives up.”
Nikitas is going back to the state tournament at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington for the second season in a row. He tied for 67th in 2014.
While it wasn’t his low round of the season, Nikitas said Monday, Oct. 12, might rank as his best. He only made three bogeys and said he “didn’t give away any shots.”
“It’s definitely up there,” he said.
Glenbrook North
Daniel Cole crammed for the sectional tournament at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club.
The Glenbrook North senior said he spent more than six hours on Sunday, Oct. 11, working on his game.
“I wanted to make sure everything was consistent,” he said.
Cole’s marathon practice session paid off as he shot a 3-over 73 to tie for third and advance to the Class 3A state tournament as an individual. The Spartans’ 314 wasn’t enough to survive the cut. They tied Loyola for fourth.
“He’s been our main guy, our workhorse,” Glenbrook North coach Justin Gerbich said of Cole, who had one 18-hole tournament victory this season. “He’s been solid for us all year.”
Varsity rookie and junior Henry Knez also is heading to Bloomington after he shot a 76.
Loyola
John Kryscio played like a veteran at the sectional tournament in Hoffman Estates.
Maybe that’s because, even as a sophomore, this was his second trip to this stage of the season.
After playing his first six holes at 4 over, Kryscio was 2 over for his final 12 holes to post a 76. While the Ramblers didn’t advance as a team with their 314, Kryscio qualified for the Class 3A state tournament as an individual. He was in Loyola’s lineup last year when the Ramblers tied for ninth at the Class 3A state tournament.
“I just put my head down and tried to make some birdies,” said Kryscio, who finished with three.
Loyola coach Tim Kane said Kryscio is the kind of player who can rebound from a bad swing or bad hole.
“He’s very level-headed,” Kane said. “He just stayed calm. He’s a good example of how to conduct yourself on the golf course.”
Junior Connor Prassas was one of five players who turned in a 79, and he won a playoff for the 10th and final spot as an at-large individual.
Niles West
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Senior Skylar Le Vine will be making his second appearance at the Class 3A state tournament after shooting a 76 at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club. He also qualified as a sophomore.
North Shore Country Day
The Raiders missed out on qualifying for the state tournament for the first time since 2010.
But North Shore Country Day, which won two Class 1A state titles and finished second the past two years, was moved up to Class 2A this season due to the IHSA’s success factor.
The Raiders shot 331 to finish fifth at the Freeport Sectional at Park Hills Golf Course. North Shore senior Drew Miles advanced as an individual after carding a 79.
Northridge
Northridge senior Paul DiFranco advanced to the Class 1A state tournament by carding a 78 at the Byron Sectional on Monday, Oct. 12. The Knights finished seventh (357) at the sectional and didn’t advance as a team.
Ridgewood
Neither Patrick Owens (104) nor Scott Harbut (126) advanced out of the Class 2A Freeport Sectional.
Twitter: @harnesspreps