Local group packing golf bags for state

Seven local individuals from Class 1A and 2A and one team from 3A, Waubonsie Valley, are heading to Bloomington this weekend for the state boys golf tournaments.

The individuals from 2A are Yorkville's Connor McCormick and Nick Muellner, Oswego's Nate Behrens, Sandwich's Lucas Burkett, IMSA's Luke Nayak and Marmion's Tim Johnson. The lone representative from Class 1A is Aurora Christian's Jake Ettelbrick.

The Warriors earned their trip to Bloomington after winning the St. Charles East Sectional by two strokes over the host Saints. Junior Thomas O'Bryan earned medalist honors with a 71. Also representing the Warriors are sophomores Alex Koulos and Alec Meyer and juniors Dylan Despot, Josh Stefanski and Brian Salerno.

"They are so pumped," Waubonsie coach Dave Owles said. "They are really looking forward to state. Our goal is to be in the top half, but we really want to bring something (like a trophy) home. They certainly are talented enough to do so."

The Warriors were third in the Upstate Eight Conference and third at regionals before winning their first sectional title. The last time they went to state as a team was in 2003, when Owles was an assistant; they placed seventh.

Yorkville suffered heartbreak for the second year in a row, despite having two golfers represent the team at Weibring Golf Course. The Foxes were two strokes from having the whole team go to state, settling for third at the Lemont Sectional.

McCormick won medalist honors with even-par 72, and this is the senior's second trip to state. It is Muellner's first.

"I'm really happy for the kids," Yorkville coach Jerry Farber said. "Connor ended up all-conference (in the Western Sun) and has a great opportunity this weekend if things go right. For Nick, this is a new experience for him. He's really come on toward the end of the season."

Nayak came to IMSA as a sophomore from University High in Normal. His former teammates at University High will compete in Class 2A against him, as they won the Bloomington Sectional.

"He has a lot of friends in the Bloomington area," IMSA coach Michael Keyton said. "He has mixed feelings about playing against them, but he's excited for that as well."

Behrens became the first player in Oswego history to get to state; he shot a 77 at the Lemont Sectional to make the cut.

"His individual goal this year was to earn a trip to state," Oswego coach Matt Borrowman said. "(After he missed qualifying for state by one stroke in 2008), he worked really hard over the summer. He spent an hour five to six days a week working on his putting."

Another local senior, Johnson, shot a 77 at sectionals and will represent Marmion downstate; it's his first trip.

"He's been a great player for four years," Cadets coach Jen Konen said. "We are happy to have him out. We'll see what happens."

Burkett, a sophomore, has been Sandwich's No. 1 golfer this year.

"I haven't been nervous thinking about (state)," he said. "I'm not too worried about it. I'm looking forward to having fun."

Ettelbrick got to state after shooting a 79 at the Somonauk Sectional. This is the junior's first appearance.

"It's awesome," Ettelbrick said. "It made my year."