Golf team has challenges ahead, but ready to work hard

The 2011 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference champions and NJCAA championship qualifiers have left this year’s squad with a lot to live up to. One golfer from that successful team is back this year, faced with the challenge of leading a Cyclone repeat.

Moraine Valley saw its top golfers—Ricky Palonis (Lincoln-Way Central), All-American Ryan Frederick (Lockport), Brendan Ryan (Shepard), Kenny Feldmeier (Providence), and John Beissman (Lockport)—head to four-year universities on scholarships. Jeremy Fraser (Lincoln-Way North), who competed at the national tournament and helped his team finish 12^th, is the lone returner who will be the team leader. “We’re expecting big things from him,” said coach Bob Freudenthal.

In the small but mighty group of newcomers is Jack Misheck (Lincoln-Way North) who had a successful high school career and is a major addition to the team. Dan Dermody (St. Laurence/University of Iowa), Pat Neylon (Shepard), Jake Heinrich (Shepard), Joe LaPorte (Stagg), and homeschooled Nathan LaPorte, also will contribute this season.

“This will be one of our most challenging seasons because of our recent past successes, but we’re putting in enough work that we can have a good year,” Freudenthal said. “There’s a lot of potential with this team. I can see it. Through practice and hard work we’ll do well.”