Medalist Johnson leads Marian to regional crown

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AURORA – Marian Central took the first step toward its ultimate goal by winning the IHSA Class 2A Aurora Central Catholic Regional boys golf tournament Tuesday.

Senior Stefan Johnson shot 3-over-par 74 at Phillips Park to win the individual regional title and lead the Hurricanes to first place at 304. Marian will host Monday’s sectional on its home course, Crystal Woods.

Burlington Central (321) and Sycamore (323) were the other teams to advance to the sectional tournament.

Marian’s Dominick Piraino and Luke Waggoner shot 76s, and Gordie Mitchard added a 78. Piraino and Waggoner tied for third place behind Johnson and Burlington’s Peter Cappas (75).

“Our goal all season has been to go to state and get a banner in the gym,” Marian coach Erin Carver said. “We’re still taking it day by day, but we’re getting closer.”

Johnson said familiarity with Phillips Park was advantageous.

“I took a practice round here on Sunday and played three tournaments here, so I knew the course pretty well,” he said. “I was two strokes better on the back nine … I just sucked it up.”

Johnson finished with 36 putts for the day.

“I feel that need to get my confidence back in my putting,” Johnson said. “Everything else I feel pretty good about.”

Hampshire's Grant Yoder (80) and Jeremy Yoder (85) qualified as individuals.

Wheaton Academy 2A Regional: At St. Charles, Crystal Lake Central placed three golfers in the top five and took second place at Pheasant Run. Riley Bauman shot a 1-over 73, followed by Matt Calder (74) and Brandon Whittier (76). Danton Gunter (80) provided the Tigers’ fourth score.

Wheaton Academy shot 300 to win the team title, Central was second at 303 and St. Francis at 326 was third. All three advance to the Marian Central Sectional.

Wheaton Academy’s David Flynn won the individual title at 69.

Lakes 2A Regional: At Antioch Golf Club, Zach Gasior and Tyler Chambers shot 85s to lead the Skyhawks to third place and a spot in the Marian Central Sectional.

Lakes (340) took first, followed by Grayslake North (342) and Johnsburg (343). Sean Humphrey shot 8-over 79 for medalist honors to lead North to second place.

Genoa-Kingston 1A Regional: At The Oak Club of Genoa, Harvard’s Owen Powell shot 7-over 80 for third place and will advance to the Byron Sectional on Monday.

Oregon’s Andrew Canfield took medalist honors at 77. Rockford Lutheran (328) and Byron (346) advanced as teams.

• Joe Stevenson contributed to this report.