Naperville North continues to roll

Updated: October 10, 2011 8:59PM

BARTLETT – Naperville North’s boys golf team has been on some kind of roll in the past month, and it continued at Monday’s Class 3A Bartlett Sectional at Bartlett Hills.

The Huskies won their fourth straight tournament overall and broke 300 yet again in the postseason, running away with the team title by shooting a 296 behind junior Raymond Knoll’s 72.

“When I saw 296, it’s unreal,” Knoll said. “I tapped in for par on the last hole and everybody was smiling. We’ve just been playing such good golf the past few weeks.”

Knoll followed up his stellar 64 at regionals last week with a 72 Monday, which was third individually behind Alec Meyer of Waubonsie Valley (69) and Troy Butler of Lake Park (71).

“I love playing in big tournaments,” Knoll said. “I could not wait to play today. Before the round today, I went back to the bus and tried to relax and calm myself down, but I couldn’t. I was jumping on the bus, punching the walls. I wanted to play so badly.”

North did not shoot one score in the 80s across its entire six-man team, as Jake Dunham and Eric Izzo posted 74s and Michael Doherty carded a 76.

“I’m so happy for the kids, as a team to make it down,” North coach Ryan Hantak said. “It’s great. To actually win the sectional is just a bonus. Any coach will tell you that they just want to qualify. You don’t have to win it. We played well today. Now we’re excited to go downstate.”

The other two advancing teams each shot 310s, with Hinsdale Central winning a fifth-score playoff over Lyons. Each team had identical individual scores among the top four. Hinsdale Central was led by David Whinery (75), Trevor Jay (76), Jeff Yoo (78) and Harry Boling (81). Lyons featured Charlie Netzel (7), Kevin Carlson (76), Dan Hudson (7) and Jack Ferguson (81).

“I knew it would be close,” Hinsdale Central coach said. “I knew (Naperville North was) the favorite. I didn’t think they’d win by that much, but they had a great day. As a team, to shoot 310, they did well. I’m happy for them.”

Meyer credits a recent grip change to getting on a roll at the right time. He birdied Nos. three, four and five and parred out the entire back nine en route to his solid 69.

“Of course I was going for the win, but qualifying to me is awesome,” Meyer said. “It definitely makes me a lot more confident going to state. I just feel so much better over the ball. Everything is piecing together.”

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