Wildkits Win State Golf Championship

BLOOMINGTON --- Evanston's 2026 golf journey ended with a roller coaster ride in the final days of the season.

Now the Wildkits are stuck on top.

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Yet it took a force of nature to get them there.

Behind the surprising state runner-up individual finish of junior Lester Low --- surprising because he didn't expect to compete here this weekend --- Evanston scored its first Illinois High School Association state golf championship in school history Saturday at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course.

Coach Jed Curtis' squad left no doubt as to who's No. 1 with a two-day team total of 581 that was 10 strokes better than second place finisher Hersey in the Class 3A field. It was also a tournament record score, two shots better than the previous team mark. Evanston ascended to the top following back-to-back heartbreaking finishes in both 2024 and 2025 when they lost via tiebreakers and settled for second place.

Low lost out on his bid to repeat as individual champ as Hinsdale Central's Michael Jorski outscored him 136-137, and the Wildkits also counted a 75-72-147 from junior Henry Way; a 74-74-148 from senior Henry Schmidt; and a 75-77-152 from junior Luciano Giangrossi in their title bid.

Also competing for ETHS were seniors Derrick Nelson at 72-84-156, Johnny Allocco at 85 (during Friday's first round), and Tate Schroeder at 91 (second round).

Call it divine intervention, or simply Mother Nature's choice, but Low only rejoined the lineup when the national amateur tournament he planned to compete in was cancelled because Hurricane Isaias was taking aim at the Panhandle area of Florida's coast where that tournament was scheduled.

Low found out late Wednesday that his travel plans would include a return trip to Bloomington. And the mixed emotions the junior felt about missing an opportunity to add to his national resume had to be put aside so he could focus on leading the Wildkits to the top for the first time.

Of course, focus has never been a problem for the talented junior. A double bogey on the No. 14 hole Saturday cost him another state individual crown, but he also carded an eagle (on No. 10) and three birdies to finish at 66-72-137.

That was the same score he won with in 2025.

"It's been a whirlwind of a week," Low admitted. "But once the tournament (Ping Invitational) was canceled, I was all in to help this team win a state championship. I'm just glad I was able to play and to help these guys out.

"But this week was not about me. Walking with Coach Curtis down the 17th and 18th fairways, seeing the smiles on everyone's faces --- and a few tears rolling down his cheeks --- was an incredible moment. I wouldn't trade that for anything."

Low, like all the other squad members, knew that it was Curtis' last chance for a state title. He is stepping down from his position as head coach, a job he's held since 2008, after retiring from teaching two years ago. Curtis actually commuted from his new home in Michigan to guide the team this fall.

"When Lester called Wednesday during the day, I wasn't able to pick up the call right away, but I called him back and I said --- half jokingly --- are you calling to tell me your tournament was canceled?" Curtis recalled. "He said you're half right, the committee was meeting that night to discuss it.

"I chewed my nails off waiting to see what would happen. He called again when we were on the bus to Bloomington that night and said he just got an email that it was canceled. He asked me if I wanted him to drive down Thursday and play. I said let me think about it for a minute --- and of course I said OK.

"It's all joy, what I'm feeling right now. I felt like the stars just aligned for us when that happened."

The Kits needed a late surge when Hersey closed to within two strokes of the team lead with about four holes to play. Down the stretch this time, no team was better.

"It felt like it was getting a lot tighter than we were hoping for," said Curtis. "Golf tournaments play out so slow and it's a tough watch on your nerves.

"Luciano (Giangrossi) had just scored a double bogey and then Lester hit out of bounds and had a double, too. All of a sudden four shots evaporated off of our card. But then we went 7-under (par) over the last three holes and down the stretch was where we had fallen short before. We just believed and felt 'this is our time' and stayed in the present."

The pace of play drew Schmidt, Way and Giangrossi near enough to each other over the final couple of holes for them to draw strength from the team culture and experience that helped ETHS reach the top of the sport.

"Luciano birdied No. 16, I made a really long putt at 17, and Henry had a birdie at 16. At that point we all just fed off each other's energy," Schmidt said. "There was some high energy.

"That putt I made was from about 50 feet and I couldn't believe I made it. Not with the break that was there (on the green). I'm really proud of how we bounced back there at the end. I looked at the leader board and was just really motivated to give it my all the last couple of holes, and I think everyone felt the same way. Coach Curtis has told me that I'm only as good as my attitude, so I tried to keep the best possible attitude."

"All week we fed off the combined experience we had down here (at State)," Way added. "As a team, we've been in this position where we've had to sleep on a lead (after the first round). Last year I think we got a little defensive and we gave up the lead. This year, we got the job done on 16, 17 and 18.

"This is probably the best I've putted all season. I probably made (combined) 200 feet of putts in the last round, and I've never done that before. But I didn't surprise myself. That was the result of my preparation throughout the season that built up to that final round."

Low missed out on an opportunity to become the first large school individual champion to repeat since Lockport's Ben Sluzas accomplished that feat in 2018 and 2019. Only four other individuals have won multiple crowns in the history of the tournament.

Low will have an opportunity to make that kind of history next fall after that costly double bogey left him one stroke short of a repeat.

The 14th hole is regarded as one of the toughest holes on the par 72 course and Low registered a bogey there during the first round on Friday.

"It's a hole that's always on your mind when you play here," said the ETHS junior. "You really can't let up on any hole. I hit into the water there on Friday, and Saturday I hit out of bounds. Outside of that, I thought I was pretty solid.

"I kinda knew what the situation was (in the chase for the individual title) because the guy who won it is a good buddy of mine, and he had already posted his number. I knew the situation, but it was just poor execution on my part.

"We were really able to lean on our experience as a team at State. Having been under fire before down there, we were ready for the moment when it came. On the team bus (Saturday) I told the seniors to play hungry because there was no tomorrow. They really came through and gave it their all.

"Internally, we have a belief in every one of our guys. This is a very special group. It's cool to be in the history books now, but we'll always remember those moments on the team bus, going out to eat together. That's what's important and that's what I'll remember. Winning State? That's the cherry on top."

"I'm overwhelmed with gratitude, to be able to go out on top like this," Curtis said. "The finality of my career brings a lot of emotions when I think about all the great individuals, great coaches, great families I've been around.

"The heaviness of what we went through the past two years (at State) made it even sweeter. A weight was lifted off of us. Golf mirrors life in so many ways, because of the highs and lows.

"What I'm most proud of is that I had a chance to fulfill the calling I felt I had as a coach and teacher. Both of my parents were teachers. I just wanted to serve and mold kids, and help to make them great.

"I had a lot of great mentors, like John Willson, John Riehle, Elias George, right from the start of my career. And my assistant coaches (Aaron Van Kampen, Colin Sallee) were a major part of what we built. This was not a one-man show."