Lake County Gazette

Vernon Hills has a new conference to compete in this season, but has some old, talented faces to go into battle with in 2016.

Two golfers who finished in the top 31 at the Class 2A state meet are back this season for the Cougars, who are looking to extend their streak of regional titles while navigating the competition in the new Central Suburban League.

Senior Justin Park finished 11th at the state meet last year, while junior Brian Favia was 31st. Those performances came in the wake of the Cougar program’s sixth-straight regional win and fourth-place showing at the state meet.

Also back from last season is sophomore Sujay Voleti. Newcomers are seniors Jacob Florian and Daniel Yong, and sophomores Joey Levitan and Brendan Wise.

“We hope to be competitive in our new CSL conference against top-flight competition,” coach Shawn Healey said. “Our big goal is to get back to state and not leave empty-handed.”

 

MUNDELEIN

So far this season, Mundelein has a poker hand filled with two's – second places, that is.

The Mustangs finished second in the 20-team Bloomington Tourney on Aug. 17, in the 11-team Huntley Invitational on Aug. 20 and in the Lake County Invite on Aug. 22.

Last season, Mundelein finished fourth in the sectional meet and has several golfers back: Ryan Magee, Tyler White, Brett Parola and Zach Zentz. Magee and White had stroke averages of approximately 75 through the first four meets, while Parola was averaging approximately 76.

Key newcomers include Colin Wade, Josh Peterson and Christian Loar.

 

GRAYSLAKE NORTH

Adam Baker, a sectional qualifier in 2015, leads a group of four senior golfers returning from last season.

Alex Wrobel, Jack Dobovsky and Joey McHugh are the other senior returners. Newcomers are juniors Brian Szramek, Dylan Rowder and Lane Getka, and sophomore Adam Calhoun.

The Knights are competing in the North Lake County Conference this season after playing in the Fox Valley Conference.

“It should be a competitive season for the conference title this season with the home-and-home schedule, and we are looking forward to playing in a more-natural conference,” coach Tim Hough said in an email interview.

 

WARREN

Several returners and three newcomers make up the Warriors’ rosters this season.

Seniors Zane Blevins, Ryan Vrable, Edgar Avila and Trevor Britton are back, as are juniors Karl Tolentino and Ray Cordova. Newcomers are juniors Tanner Steffy, Clark Anderson and Blake Leeper.

“We should have a very successful season if the players work as hard as they did last year,” coach Michael Wittes said.

 

GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL

Despite losing some talented players to graduation, the Rams got off to a 2-0 start in the North Lake County Conference this season.

Returning players include seniors Cooper Brunk, Jack Brown and Carter Maiden, and juniors Tyler Hanson, Alec Novak and Michael Sisk. Senior Carter Trowitch, junior Zach Wichlin and sophomore Nate Twardock are the newcomers.

“Hopefully, we can continue to build on some of our past success,” coach Jim Mazzetta said.