Low Sparks Kit Golfers To Sizzling Start

Evanston’s golf team has produced plenty of championship-type results during its rise to among the elite programs in the state of Illinois over the past five years.

But those back-to-back Illinois High School Association state runner-up finishes have been part of a process. And, led by returning defending Class 3A individual state champion Lester Low, the Wildkit goal is to embrace that process again in 2026.

Coach Jed Curtis’ squad has already captured team titles at the Central Suburban League Showcase and the Twin Orchards Invitational thanks to a sizzling start by Low. They edged out defending state champion New Trier at both invites.

The Wildkits will also feature two of their top five scorers from last year, senior Henry Schmidt and junior Luciano Giangrossi, in their bid to finally break through and win an IHSA state team crown after losing out because of tiebreaker scenarios in both 2024 and 2025.

But Curtis and Co. aren’t obsessed with chasing the big prize. The biggest question surrounding the current cast of players is whether they’ll commit to the day-to-day process that can lead to championship results.

“I do have high expectations this year,” said Curtis. “We’ve talked a lot with these guys about learning and growing and just enjoying the journey, and embracing each other as teammates.

“I think we’re more process-driven than results-driven. We’re not talking now about winning State, we’re just talking about giving it our best every time out --- whatever that is. We’re focused on making this a very memorable two months (length of season).”

Low’s triumph last year --- by one shot over Moline’s Isaac Rumler --- was a rare achievement for a sophomore in state history. He set a Class 3A record with his score of 65 in the first round and tied the Class 3A mark with a two-day total of 137 after placing 10^th in the State as a freshman.

He’s the first ETHS golfer ever to claim a state title. Only four individuals have ever scored repeat championships in the large school class dating back to 1915 when the tournament was first held. Dean Nelson of Rockford East (1941 and 1942) and Richard Martin of Highland Park/Deerfield Shields (1923 and 1924) have won multiple titles in a single class system, and Ben Sluzas of Lockport (2018 and 2019) and Luke Guthrie of Quincy (2006 and 2007) have also consecutive championships in Class 3A.

Low could join that select group based on his early efforts in 2026. This past summer, he just missed qualifying for the U.S. Open, falling short by just four strokes while competing against professionals in the Open sectional qualifier. He also finished first at two American Junior Golf Association tournaments.

But if he’s learned anything in his first two seasons playing for the Kits, it’s the importance of the process.

“Every year, my goal is to win every time I tee it up,” Low said. “But if I don’t win the state championship again, I won’t see it as a failure. I’ll just see it as a goal I didn’t reach.

“A lot of it in golf is mental. You need to stay in the moment and do just what you can do in the moment. The process goes on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and if we stick with the other guys day by day, we’re going to have a lot of success as a team.”

The junior standout is considering Georgia Tech, Oklahoma and Illinois as collegiate choices and said playing against the pros gave him a confidence boost to go with some physical growth that has helped him go longer off the tee.

“I had a pretty good day in that sectional qualifier,” he said. “It was really cool to compete against some of the best guys in the country, and it was really encouraging because it showed me that I’m almost there.

“It’s easy to chase a result and look at the glory you get from that. But at the end of the day, the only thing you can control is the moment.”

“Lester has definitely taken his game to the next level,” Curtis said. “When you get to where he’s at, at the national level, winning State (in high school competition) is not the pinnacle of this sport. He’s a fierce competitor.”

Low’s course record performance of 64 helped the Kits edge New Trier 291-292 at the CSL Showcase hosted by Deerfield. That 8-under-par effort included 11 birdies. Backing him up that day were Giangrossi (74), junior Henry Way (76) and sophomore Wade Hart (77).

ETHS took the Trevians down a couple of days later at Twin Orchards, this time by a margin of 285-287. Low took medalist honors with a 3-under-par 67, followed by runner-up Schmidt at 68, Giangrossi at 71, and seniors Emmett Ball and Johnny Allocco, both at 79.

Low also helped the Wildkits get off on the right foot in the conference race when his 1-under 34 sparked a 144-160 triumph over Maine South.

“Luciano (Giangrossi) has really shown us incredible growth and maturity,” Curtis noted. “His mindset has been really impressive out there. At the CSL meet he was 6 over after the first 5 holes --- and went 4 under after that, when it really could have gone in a different direction for him that day.

“I saw a lot of smiles on his face that day. You have to stay in the present --- and enjoy the dance.”