St. Anthony Claims 1A Golf Regional, EHS Players Advance

Members of the St. Anthony team heading to sectional are, left to right, Aidan Tegeler, Michael Martelli, Thomas Chojnicki, Luke Flaig, Jayden Rios, Ryan Schultz, Jonathan Willenborg, Darin Hutchison and Coach Phil Zaccari.

Effingham St. Anthony High School claimed the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Regional golf championship Monday at the Effingham Country Club.

The Bulldogs shot a 313 over the challenging course to outdistance Carmi by five strokes.

"The ECC was in immaculate shape for this event," said St. Anthony Coach Phil Zaccari. "It is one of the tougher regional courses and Tim Krouse and the staff at the club did a great job preparing the course and running a smooth event.

"As a team, our underclassmen really stepped up. Freshmen Jonathan Willenborg and Michael Martelli came to play today carding 77 and 78 respectively. Senior Jayden Rios also played the shots today and showed that senior leadership by shooting 77 as well. Sophomore Thomas Chojnicki had a rough front nine but then really turned it on the back side to shoot 81.

"Overall, it was a great team win and we needed our depth because Carmi has a really good team and they played very good as well. This victory qualifies us for the Zeigler-Royalton Sectional which will be the toughest sectional in the state. There will be at least six teams in our sectional that could place at state but only three get to go. We will need to have our best to get out of there. But today we celebrate the victory and tomorrow we start getting ready for the next step."

The Bulldogs won with a 313 score followed by Carmi White County 318, Oblong 355, Hamilton County 368, Mount Carmel 373, Casey-Westfield 374, Fairfield 381, Flora 387, Altamont 392, Robinson 394, Teutopolis 410 and Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 452.

Carmi-White County's Oakley Gee carded a 71 to become the medalist. Rios, Willenborg and Ty Barbre of Carmi-White County all scored 77's followed by Martelli 78 and Chojnicki with an 81. Non-counters were Ryan Schultz 82 and Luke Flaig 90.

The Bulldogs advance to the Zeigler-Royalton Sectional Monday, October 14 at the Franklin County Country Club in West Frankfort.

Class 2A  Mattoon Regional

Effingham High School didn't advance as a team, finishing fourth at the Class 2A Mattoon Regional as only the top three teams advance.

Winning was Charleston with 334, Mattoon 334, Paris 345, Effingham 357, Arcola 360, Lawrenceville 360, Olney 367, Mount Zion 371 and Macon Merdian 446.

Although the Hearts didn't advance, two players will continue on. Medalist was Charleston's Blake Wolfe with a 77. Effingham's Aiden Beck and Lawrenceville's Camren Ray tallied an 83 each for second place while Effingham's Tate Niebrugge took fourth with an 85. Beck and Niebrugge advance to the Charleston Sectional set for Monday, October 14 at the Charleston Country Club.

"Today was disappointing for the team," said EHS Coach Jeff Schafer. "This group pulled two major upsets the past two years, but we just didn't get it done today. We were in position after the first nine, but only Aiden had a good back nine.

"I'm very happy for Tate and Aiden who advance to the sectional. They have both been very consistent and with their best efforts could advance to state. It has been a pleasure to coach Ben and Austin. They are two young men whose best golf is still ahead. Both have really only been playing these past two years and what they have done has been amazing.

"Ryker also had a very solid season for us and was very consistent. He, along with Nick, Ethan, Colby and David, are going to have to work hard over the summer as they have big shoes to fill next year."

Beck had a 41-42 -- 83 followed by Niebrugge 39-46 -- 85, Austin Waldhoff 48-46 -- 94, Ryker Schneider 45-49 -- 95, Ben Donsbach 45-54 -- 99 and Nick Burgess 52-50 -- 102.