Plainfield Central's Young on the Move

Mitch Young says he likes to relax and spend time with his friends in his spare time.

Relax? Spare time?

It seems the Plainfield Central sophomore wouldn't have a whole lot of spare time, considering he's a three-sport athlete and hard-working student.

Just call him a master of time management.

Young, 15, is Plainfield Central's top golfer, as well as a point guard in basketball and an outfielder in baseball. In the classroom, he manages a 3.8 grade-point average.

On Wednesday, Young shot a low round of 36 (9 holes) in Plainfield Central's victory over Plainfield East at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.

"I would have shot better if I didn't bogey the last hole," he said. "I may have tied my course record (34)."

Young made the varsity golf team last year as a freshman, and qualified for sectionals. "I missed the state meet by two strokes," he said. 

Short-term, he hopes to qualify for the state tournament in October. Long-term, he plans to play golf at the collegiate level. Among the schools he's considering are Illinois, Iowa, Eastern Illinois and Stanford.

He is the youngest of three brothers to come through the Plainfield system. His brother Mark is a senior football player at Plainfield Central, and his oldest brother, Matt, is a sophomore at Eastern Illinois University.

"Mitch is extremely consistent and is a great leader on the team, especially for a sophomore," Plainfield Central golf coach Darren Kobliska said. "He's extremely mature for his age."

"Mitch is always there to support his teammates," fellow Wildcats golfer Nick Dylla said.

Opponents respect Young's talents, too.

"Playing against a kid like Mitch always keeps you on your game," Plainfield East golfer Jake Kauffman said after Wednesday's match. "When he birdies, you have to match, otherwise you won't catch him."