LHS Freshman Advances To 2018 IHSA Class 2A Boys Golf Finals

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School freshman Paulius Malcius became the first boys’ golfer in school history to qualify for the state finals as an individual in his freshman season. The school said Malcius tied for ninth individually at the IHSA Lemont Sectional on Oct. 8 to secure his state finals berth. Malcius will participate in the 2018 IHSA Boys’ Golf Class 2A State Finals on Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13, at Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University in Normal.

In sectional competition, the school said Malcius posted a +5 77 at Broken Arrow Golf Club in Lockport. The top three teams from each of the IHSA’s four Class 2A Sectionals advanced to state finals competition, along with the top 10 individuals from schools that did not qualify for state finals team competition. Head coach Mark Hollatz’s team placed sixth.

Hollatz’s squad – which posted its 13th straight South Suburban Conference-Blue Division title this season – won the IHSA Oak Forest Regional at George Dunne National Golf Course. The school said Malcius earned an individual medalist finish after shooting a +1 73. Earlier this season, he was the runner-up at the SSC Meet with a +6 78.

Malcius will become just the third Lemont freshman boys’ golfer to participate in state finals competition. The school said the previous two – Raymond Sullivan ‘18 in 2014 and current junior Grant Sullivan in 2016 – were part of teams that qualified for the state finals. However, Malcius earned his berth by qualifying as an individual.

Prior to this season, Lemont had qualified for IHSA state finals team competition ten times in the previous 12 seasons. Its first team state finals berth came in 2005, when the squad qualified for the IHSA Class AA State Finals. The team also advanced to the IHSA Class 2A State Finals each season from 2007-11, and again annually from 2014-17. The program’s best finish was third place in 2011.

Photo provided by Lemont High School.