New Trier’s Junge shines at sectional

New Trier's Jack Junge putts during the boys golf sectional tournament at the Winnetka Golf Course on Monday. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 12, 2012 11:38AM

WINNETKA

New Trier’s future looks good, but that doesn’t mean the team isn’t playing for the present.

In his first sectional tournament, Jack Junge, a sophomore, perhaps played the best round of his career.

Junge tied Glenbrook North’s Nick Hardy and Loyola’s Michael Hultquist for first with a 2-over 73 Monday at Winnetka Golf Club. Junge earned medalist honors at the New Trier Sectional with a birdie on the first playoff hole.

He stuck with a safe game plan on a difficult day, making one birdie and three bogeys.

“I was nervous, but I felt confident in my game,” Junge said.

Freshman Nick Iserloth also contributed to the team’s 306, which was good for second place. Iserloth, who played his first varsity tournament Sept. 1, toured the familiar course in 75 strokes.

“I was not thinking about the state tournament at the beginning of the year,” he said. “I was just hoping to make the varsity team.”

Senior Austin Rendell (77) and senior Ian Wright (81) also factored into the team’s scoring foursome.

Ramble on: Loyola returns to the Class 3A state tournament at the Den at Fox Creek for the third season in a row, all under coach Tim Kane, after taking third at the sectional tournament with a 308.

The Ramblers got strong showings from headliners, junior Michael Abrahamson and Hultquist, a junior. Abrahamson was second on the team behind Hultquist with a 75.

“Not bad,” Abrahamson said. “Par was a good score out there.”

Senior Colin O’Neill and senior Creighton Helms also contributed. O’Neill, the team’s top finisher at the state tournament last season, shot an 80. Helms posted an 82.

“It was great to experience it last year,” said O’Neill, who tied for ninth in Bloomington. “It’s such a different atmosphere, so it’s good to know what to expect.”

Loyola’s won four state titles, the last coming in 2001.

Lone Wildkit: Evanston was hoping for a better day.

Junior Evan TerMolen shot a 79 and was the only player on the team to advance to the state tournament. The Wildkits finished fourth at the sectional with 331.

Junior Jackson Mihevc narrowly missed out after posting an 81. He lost out advancing in a four-person playoff for the final spot. Mihevc was at the state tournament last season.

“The sectional is by far the most nerve-wracking tournament,” TerMolen said. “I think there’s probably more pressure here than at the state tournament.” ~.

Show / Hide Comments