Young guns: Underclassmen lead pack during season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational

QUINCY — If the scores from Thursday’s season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational are any indication, the area boys golf scene is going to be highly competitive for years to come.

Three sophomores and a freshman claimed four of the top five individual spots and a pair of freshmen posted scores that helped Illini West capture the team title with a 322 total at Westview Golf Course.

Quincy Notre Dame finished second with a 324. Other team scores were Pittsfield at 329, Quincy High School at 333, West Hancock at 369, Unity at 380, Liberty at 387, Payson Seymour at 434, Southeastern at 472 and Havana at 490.

Individually, Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen posted an even-par 71 to earn medalist honors, while QHS sophomore Ty Novosel was second at 2-over 73. QND sophomore Grant Lepper was third at 78, followed by QHS junior Hunter St. Clair at 79 and Illini West freshman Nolan Murphy and Chargers senior Nick Bruns at 79.

Illini West freshman Bryson Grotts shot an 81 and junior Wesley Robertson posted an 83 to contribute to the team title.

QND received an 81 from sophomore Oliver Hendrian, an 82 from freshman Keeden Orpet-Hulett and an 83 from sophomore Harper Hough. QHS junior Issa Geisendorfer shot an 89 and sophomore Tyler O’Brien posted a 92.

Zeke Castleberry carded an 83 for Pittsfield, while freshman Colby Hayes posted an 84.

West Hancock’s Brayson Smeltser and Unity’s Logan Lansing both shot 88.