Leahy sets numerous school records.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The IC Catholic Prep boys golf team had success this fall both as a team and individually.
The Knights finished the dual-match season with a 9-2 mark, winning nine matches in a row at one point.
On the 18-hole tournament front, IC Catholic Prep won the Leyden invitational to start the season and also won a regional title at Maple Meadows.
Knights coach Don Sujack noted four different players, Connon Leahy, Charlie Schoonveld, Michael Hoffman and Thomas Hilgart, earned medalist honors in dual matches this season.
The other four players on the team, Charlie O’Brien, Michael Carpanzano, Kevin Cheng and Jake DeWitte, all contributed scores to the team total, Sujack pointed out.
“The fact that all players were involved in the results throughout the season created a great competitive environment because we were never sure where the scores were going to come from.”
Leahy, Schoonveld and Hilgart were all-Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division selections.
Leahy averaged 37.35 for nine-hole matches and averaged a 75 for the 18-hole events—both school records.
“Connon had a remarkable season by any measure,” said Sujack.
Leahy was the medalist at conference and at the regional. He finished third at the sectional and third in the state in Class 1A.
Schoonveld averaged 39.96 for nine-hole matches and 79.7 in the 18-hole contests.
“Charlie had a very strong season as well,” said Sujack.
Juniors Carpanzano and Hilgart also were key cogs for the Knights. “Our two juniors Michael and Thomas made immediate contributions,” the coach said. “That was the pleasant surprise. When coupled with the contributions of our other four seniors, we became a strong dual-meet opponent. Connon and Charlie were consistent and we always seemed to get two or three solid scores out of the other six players.”
Sujack noted Schoonveld was ill during the sectional meet. “I was disappointed for Charlie because he was feeling less than 100% that day,” he said. “He would have competed strongly at state.”
Overall, Sujack labeled the season a success on all fronts. “Our season was comprised of some expectations met and some welcome surprises,” he said. “We came out of the box with a win in the Leyden invitational and had a strong showing in the Glen Oak invitational being led by Connon and Charlie. That set the tone for the year. Both boys came into the season looking to make their marks as seniors and they succeeded. Winning an IHSA regional always is special and while our sights were set higher, we knew going into sectionals that we’d have our hands full.”
The season was capped by Leahy’s strong play in the state finals. “Connon’s run through the state series was fun to watch,” said Sujack. “In the finals, the first day hurt him, but he stayed motivated and his Saturday 71 score allowed him to jump from 28th to third place. It was low round for the tournament and could have been even lower, but he just ran out of holes. Regardless, he distinguished himself with his play and his tenacity. It was a great way to end the year for us. This was a great group of young men that aimed high, worked hard and enjoyed the accomplishments that came our way.”
