Only one division able to play Saturday
Rain puts damper on state meet
Sterling senior Andrew Blackburn was really looking forward to making a move on the final day of his high-school golf career. But he never got the chance.
The second day of the Class 2A boys state golf tournament was canceled due to inclement weather, as were the other two boys classes and the AA girls competition. Only the girls Class A division played through the rain Saturday.
Blackburn was in a five-way tie for seventh after an opening-round 76 on Friday. He got his round under way Saturday morning, playing the first three holes at 1-over par before play was delayed; he never returned to the course. Once play was officially called off, all standings reverted back to where they stood after Friday's first round.
"Honestly, this is the worst way I could have finished my season and career, not knowing yesterday was my last high school round I'd ever play," Blackburn said. "I didn't play my best yesterday, but I did what I wanted to do, which was get right in the mix. Today, I planned to go after it and make a run to try and win, and I wasn't able to.
"It was really special to be down here for a third straight time. It's just really disappointing the way it ended."
Teammate Ryan Hurley also started his round, getting through two holes at 1-over par before play was halted. The Sterling sophomore finished in a four-way tie for 65th with an opening-round 86.
Normal U-High senior Adam Baracani won the title with a 1-over 72, while Washington won the team title with a 340.
In the boys 1A meet, the three local players never even started their rounds. Eastland junior Devin Hartman tied for 15th with a 77 Friday, while Morrison senior Reid Hoffman finished in a six-way tie for 17th at 78. Fulton senior Logan Rascher tied for 107th at 104.
North Shore Country Day swept the 1A titles, winning as a team with a 322 while senior Nick McCall claimed the individual title with a 2-under 70.
Hinsdale Central won the 3A championship with a 306, while Deerfield junior Ian Kelsey and New Trier sophomore Jack Junge tied for the individual title with 1-under 71s.
On the girls side, Prophetstown placed 12th as a team in Class A with a 784. Senior Annie Sandrock led the way with a two-day total of 176, good for a tie for 44th individually. Senior Stephanie Emery (196) and senior Molly Corbin (205) came next, while senior Ella Kramer and junior Abbey Baker both shot 210. Senior Amanda Bertolozzi fired a 247.
Polo senior Alina Llanas was the top local girls finisher, finishing in a three-way tie for 36th at 173. Her second-round 83 was a seven-stroke improvement over her Friday score.
Eastland senior Alex Moutrey also competed, firing a 203 to finish 87th.
Massac County won the team title with a 664, four shots better than runner-up Rochester. Norridge Ridgewood junior Sabrina Bonanno was individual medalist with a 2-under 142, beating Nashville junior Shawn Rennegarbe by three strokes.
In AA, New Trier took the team title with a 387, five strokes better than Prospect. Stevenson senior Stephanie Miller fired a 1-under 71 as medalist, beating a pair of players by one shot.
Did you know?
• In 2001, Erie's Josh Hart won a Class A state title with five other golfers after the second day of play was canceled because of inclement weather.
