Golfers Score Wet Win At IHSA Regional

Evanston’s golf team has fallen short of winning an Illinois High School Association state championship by the slimmest of margins for two years in a row.

But there can’t be any doubt about the current squad’s mental toughness even if they don’t go all the way in 2026.

That mental toughness was on display Wednesday. Through wind and rain that ballooned the competition’s scores, the Wildkits remained locked in and chalked up the team title at the Class 3A New Trier Regional held at Winnetka Golf Club.

ETHS junior Lester Low claimed his third straight individual regional crown and Evanston’s team score of 286 would have been impressive even on a day when it was 75 degrees with the sun shining

The Wildkits whipped New Trier again --- it’s getting to be a habit --- as the Trevians settled for a 299 on their home course. Maine South (320) beat out Loyola Academy (323) for the final team qualifying spot at next Monday’s Glenbrook South Sectional.

Evanston’s focus never wavered as juniors Low (66), Henry Way (69) and Luciano Giangrossi (72) scored a rare 1-2-3 individual finish. Another junior, Henry Schmidt, contributed a 79 as the team’s fourth scorer on a par 71 course.

Also competing for the Kits were seniors Derrick Nelson (82) and Johnny Allocco (83).

The threat of rain for two straight days this week left tournament officials and all of the schools with few options --- and postponement wasn’t one of them. So the entire field had to persevere through falling rain all morning and much of the afternoon that created standing water in several areas of the course.

No one persevered better than Evanston.

“When I first met with the entire team on the putting green (before the shotgun start), they all said it’s a great day for golf,” said Evanston head coach Jed Curtis, who is retiring after this season. “When I heard that, I felt all the positive talk that we’ve preached to them all year came to light.

“I haven’t seen anything like it. It was super exciting. To a man, they went at it and just played and didn’t make excuses. They had a goal to come out and take on the course no matter what the weather was. And after losing here to New Trier in a dual meet, they wanted to come back and make a statement.

“This was a great mental test for us. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Low, the defending Class 3A state champion, turned in a 5-under-par score that even had retired New Trier coach Pete Drevline searching his memory for a better performance on the Winnetka course.

“I think (former Glenbrook North star) Nick Hardy might have had a 67 one year. I think this is the best performance I’ve seen,” said Drevline during the awards ceremony.

Low said he tried to make it just “business as usual” on the course after putting together a phenomenal round that included four birdies and one eagle.

“It was a tough test today, and it’s very meaningful for me to win again,” said Low. “I played a fairly clean round and I felt like I was in control all day. I kept the ball in play and just kept stacking shots like you’re supposed to.

“I didn’t have any expectations (playing on a soggy course) coming into today. I just went in with a positive mindset and thought I’d just go out and see what happens. I did a good job of staying in the moment, executed my shots and ended up winning (again).”

Low capped his day with an eagle on the No. 15 hole. “I hit a pretty good drive (on the 184-yard hole), went around an overhang on a tree, and then I made a putt that was about 43 feet long,” added the Georgia Tech recruit.

Way, who was a contributor to Evanston’s state finalist team last year as a sophomore, is playing some of his best golf of the fall after a slow start. He returned to school late --- and the golf season started earlier than usual --- following a family trip to Australia to watch his mother compete in a marathon down under.

“I thought Henry was the story of the day,” Curtis praised. “He started out today with a couple of bogeys and he was 2-over after 4 holes (and 4-under the rest of the day). He’s an immensely talented and confident kid and he showed great maturity on the golf course today. It didn’t even phase him when he wasn’t playing well.”

Way’s round featured birdies on No. 2, No. 8, No. 10, No. 12 and No. 18 Wednesday.

“I really came in with no expectations,” he said. “I knew some weird stuff might happen (due to the weather). But I actually enjoy playing in the rain and I usually do pretty well playing in it. It’s just a matter of preparation and having the right gear with you, and then moving on after a bad shot.

“It was wet, but it didn’t affect my shots. When I went to Australia it was actually a good break for me. I needed a week off after playing all summer, when it’s go-go-go, and then all of a sudden the high school season starts.

“I’ve been playing pretty well over the past month. I feel more free out there, especially with my short game. There’s less pressure on me this year but more responsibility (for his scores to count). It’s definitely crucial for the team score if I’m playing well.”

Way fired a 77 at last week’s conference tournament and his eagle on the final hole helped the Wildkits edge New Trier by one stroke. It marked the second straight year that ETHS has ruled the Central Suburban League championship meet.