Fenwick senior Mairin Sweeney is ending her high school golf career in grand style as she clinched her fourth consecutive trip to the Class 2A state finals. On Oct. 5 at the Prospect Sectional, held at Mount Prospect Golf Club, she finished in a tie for fifth, shooting a six-over 76.
“She really did it in style today,” said Fenwick coach Mike Trankina. “She was two-over on the front nine; on the eighth hole, she triple-bogeyed. She was down, but I looked at the score and said, “Keep in there, we’re still in the top six.” From that point on, she went even-par on the remaining 10 holes. It was impressive.”
Trankina said the course was a challenge for all the players. In fact, there was only one who shot under-par, Hersey’s Selena Joseph, who won medalist honors with a one-under 69.
The Friars had two other golfers compete at Prospect. Junior Lila Gaddipati tied for 49th with a round of 89, while junior Madeline Roginski tied for 70th with a 95.
“My other girls did well too,” Trankina said. “Playing there, they did a good job. They’re both coming back, and I’m excited about next year.”
But first, Trankina’s focus is on helping Sweeney do her best at the state finals, which take place Oct. 10-11 at Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur.
“She’s made it through the first-day qualifier each time. She had a great first round last year, the best she’s ever done, but her Saturday round was sloppy,” he said. “I would think her goal is to make it to the second day and finish in the top 25 (which would give Sweeney All-State honors). We’re used to the course as we’ve played it so many times.
“I’m also thrilled for (OPRF coach) Matt (McMurray) and Nadia (Vattana). I’m glad they qualified. Nadia and Mairin have been friends their entire high school careers.”
Vattana gets third state berth
As Trankina mentioned, Sweeney will have local company at state as Nadia Vattana, a senior, clinched her third consecutive downstate trip, finishing in a tie for eighth by shooting a 78.
“I’m excited, she’s excited, and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” McMurray said. “I thought she played great. She had a few pretty big stumbles, (but) she was able to recognize the skill level she’s at and play through. There’s a few things we’d like to tidy up before we get to state, but she should make a good run.”
Like Sweeney, Vattana’s goal is to make it through to Saturday’s final round, which she’s done her previous state trips. McMurray feels the key is showing consistency while avoiding big mistakes.
“She’s capable of a top 25 finish if she plays her best golf,” McMurray said.
In the team standings, OPRF tied for 11th with a team score of 370 strokes. Junior Maeve Gibbs (T-62nd, 93) and seniors Chaya Shah Hempel (T-65th, 94), Maddie Zielinski (T-101st, 105), Samantha Leung (T-103rd, 106), and Lucy Wojtowicz (108th, 108) completed the Huskies’ lineup.
“They played their hearts out. I was proud of the effort they put in,” McMurray said.
Close, but no state qualifiers for boys
Neither Fenwick nor OPRF qualified golfers for the state finals as both schools played in the Class 3A Lincoln-Way Sectional, held Oct. 5 at Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood.
Senior Alex Kulisek of the Friars and senior Patrick Reed of the Huskies came the closest to qualifying as each shot a 75, which was two strokes behind Charlie Forrest of Lyons Township, who grabbed the 10th and final individual qualifying spot for schools not finishing in the top three of the team standings.
“Alex played really well,” said Fenwick coach Kyle Perry. “He was right there. No doubt he’s bummed because he’s a competitor, but he’s left a great mark on our program.”
Fenwick, which finished third as a team in last week’s Jones Regional to advance to the sectional, finished eighth with 315 strokes. The Friars’ other golfers were sophomore Peter Sweeney (T-47th, 79), senior James Papp (T-52nd, 80), sophomore Marco Cefalu (T-60th, 81), and seniors Jay Raber (T-76th, 84) and Danny O’Donoghue (T-96th, 88).
“Alex, Danny, and Jay are four-year (varsity) golfers. The progress those guys have made is incredible,” Perry said. “James, with his golfing ability and personality, was a perfect fit for our group. Peter and Marco have been consistently strong, proving that they belong in the lineup. They’re going to be factors and forces moving forward. 100 percent, we’re going to miss our seniors, but we’re also excited about what our younger group is going to do.”
OPRF had two other golfers at Lincoln-Way Central. Senior Karsten Davis and Jackson Dodd carded a 77 to tie for 32nd, and senior Jackson Dodd tied for 42nd with a 78.