Maine East senior Orion Yamat shot an even-par 72 in the first round of the Class 3A boys state golf tournament and leads by one stroke over New Trier sophomore Justin Choi (73) and Hinsdale Central junior Kenneth Li (73).
Yamat carded three birdies and an eagle — on the par-5 ninth hole — at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington. The Demons have never had a boys state champion. Bob Rolston owns the program’s best finish when he finished 13th during the 1970-71 school year.
Two-time defending state champion Hinsdale Central is atop the leaderboard after posting a 300. New Trier (303), Barrington (310), Lake Forest (312) and Lyons (313) round out the top five.
In Class 1A at Prairie Vista Golf Course, senior Sam Reategui, senior Andrew Blechman and junior Drew Miles all shot 78s as North Shore Country Day ended the first round with a 315, nine strokes behind leader El Paso-Gridley.
Hinsdale Central, New Trier share Class AA girls lead
After one round of the play at the Class AA girls golf state tournament at Hickory Point in Decatur, Hinsdale Central and New Trier are tied for the lead at 322.
Hinsdale Central freshman Roshannah Gaur led the Red Devils with a 76, and New Trier junior Louise McCulloch shot 77 for the Trevians, who last won a state title in 2012.
Neuqua Valley junior Jessica Yuen, Lincoln-Way West senior Alexis Biedrzycki and Rockford Guilford freshman Madasyn Pettersen are tied for first in the individual competition after firing 1-over par 73s. Waubonsie Valley senior Bing Singhsumalee, Carbondale senior Paige Bird and Wheaton Warrenville South senior Kelly Anderson are two shots back.
