T.F. South’s Maggie Sloan faces a bit more adversity than the average girls golfer, but she still manages to handle it with panache.
Sloan was the ace on T.F. South’s boys team — the Rebels don’t field a girls program — and just started playing with the girls again once the postseason commenced.
“Seeing how girls play with other girls, I feel I’m in a different mindset,” said Sloan, referring to the competitive nature of the boys. “I kind of like the fact that I play with the boys, because I’m out there and ready to go.”
She definitely has the smarts to handle the switch. Sloan, a junior, ranks No. 1 in her class. She’s committed to play at Loyola.
“She is truly an outstanding student-athlete,” South coach Matt Johnson said.
Sloan finished 11th in Class AA last season and is aiming to become a four-time state qualifier.
“I’m going down there to get top 10 and even win,” Sloan said. “I have such a positive mindset this year. I want to do the best that I can — like every other year.”
Before she can contend at state she’ll have to navigate the Class AA Lincoln-Way Central Sectional at The Sanctuary on Monday.
“It’s one of my favorite courses, so hopefully that positive mindset comes in handy,” she said.
Cachey catches on at the right time
Marist’s Dan Cachey put together a solid summer of play before he noticed a slight dip in his performance to start the season. But following a pair of third-place performances in the East Suburban Catholic tournament and Marist Regional, Cachey believes he’s peaking at the right time.
“Toward the last month of the year I’ve really picked it up,” he said. “I wanted to figure out what the goals are because I’ve never made it down to state.”
Cachey knows the road will be tough Monday in a rugged Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional at Balmoral in Crete.
“I have a lot of confidence that I’ll make it, but you’ve got to just go out there and play and keep your head out of it,” Cachey said.
Sandburg doubles up
Sandburg was the lone school from the Southland to receive regional championships from both its boys and girls programs.
Will Schieber won the Class 3A Marist Regional with a 4-over 75 at Old Oaks in Homer Glen, while Emily Cosler took the Class AA Marian Regional with an even-par 71 at Lincoln Oaks in Crete.
“We haven’t played with them that much, but we’re rooting for each other,” Cosler said. “Their medalist was a 75, so this shows the girls can compete.”
Cosler ran away the regional crown after posting two eagles and two birdies on her front nine. The Sandburg girls made it to state for the first time in program history last season and look to have the better shot at advancing from sectionals. The girls posted a 325 at regionals for the third best score in the state.
“We need to emphasize that nothing is confirmed at this moment,” Cosler said after her regional title win. “We could play bad and not make it to state, but we could also play great and take first. We’re excited to see how it goes.”
Other champs from the area
Lockport was the only other girls program to notch a regional title, although Lincoln-Way West’s Alexis Biedrzycki (Michigan State) scored an individual crown.
Champions for the boys included Chicago Christian (A), Illiana Christian (AA), Lemont (AA) and Providence (3A).
Lemont’s Matt Groebe and Illiana’s Steven Massey also won individual titles.
