Huntley’s Wicks steps up

Huntley’s Mason Wicks lines up a putt on the 14th hole Monday during a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division dual meet against Jacobs at Randall Oaks. Wicks shot a 1-over-par 36 to earn medalist honors. (Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com)

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WEST DUNDEE – Every time he glanced at his driver Monday, Mason Wicks quickly looked in another direction.

The Huntley senior left the club in his bag throughout Monday’s boys golf meet against Jacobs. Wicks’ decision paid huge dividends at Randall Oaks.

Wicks, normally No. 2 in the lineup, stepped up with 1-over-par 36 to earn medalist honors and lead the Red Raiders past the Golden Eagles, 153-165, in a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division dual meet.

“I was all over the place off the tee [last week],” Wicks said. “I’ve been hitting the 3-wood pretty straight and I hit off the tee well [today]. I didn’t use the driver one time. I hit the 3-wood about the same distance, so it’s a pretty good advantage to be able to just hit the 3-wood.”

Wicks bounced back from a disappointing showing on Senior Day against Cary-Grove last week and a mediocre effort at the Mundelein Invitational on Saturday.

It was Wicks’ struggles with the driver that led to his decision to exclusively use the 3-wood off the tee Monday.

Wicks set the tone for his breakthrough effort with a strong start. He birdied the 10th hole to open his round on the back nine and put together a string of pars before sinking another birdie on the 17th.

He saved bogey – and medalist honors – on 18.

“Mason played well – and that’s good,” Huntley coach Jim Rolando said. “He needs to be one of those guys who goes atop the lineup and shoots a 36, 37. So that was really nice to see.”

Sophomore Gage Jereb fired a 2-over 37 for the Red Raiders. Junior Ryan Craig, Huntley’s regular No. 1 player, and talented freshman Trent Craig each carded a 40 to help the Raiders post their best road score of the season.

“To be able to shoot a 153 on the road is nice,” Rolando said. “Gage has been right there and that was huge for him to do what he did today. Mason and Gage going low was really key for us today.”

The tough road victory was the start Huntley was looking for as the conference title contender began one of its toughest weeks of the season.

The Raiders (3-1 Fox Valley Conference), who moved even with Cary-Grove (3-1) and Crystal Lake South (3-1) in the league race, battle South and Prairie Ridge this week.

Andrew Heiserman and Sean Kozak each finished with a 40 for the host Golden Eagles (2-3). Chris Boyle chipped in with a 42. Cam Bodie and Anthony Dedic shot 43 apiece for Jacobs. 

“There weren’t many highlights for us,” Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer said. “We’re very young and we’re trying to get things figured out. We’ll have a good day and then we’ll have a bad day. There are just a lot of ups and downs right now.”