BLOOMINGTON —Few things in life are as certain as death and taxes, but Matt Weber posting an elite scorecard isn’t far behind.
Weber, a senior at Burlington Central, finished as the Class 2A state runner-up Saturday with a two-round total of 1-over-par 143 (71-72). Weber was a stroke behind Boylan Catholic’s Danny Gorman (71-71), who went even par for medalist honors at Illinois State’s Weibring Golf Club.
“No matter how it ended, it’s been fun and a great learning experience,” Weber said. “If you win, you win. It’s nice. You’ll talk about it for a few weeks — put in on a resume or something — but after a while, it’s about the four years you spent (in high school) and not just two days you spent at state.”
Weber’s Day 2 round included a 45-foot putt for a birdie on No. 8 and a 25-foot putt for par on No. 16.
“Coming down to the last few holes, I didn’t want (Gorman) to blow up,” said Weber, an Indiana recruit. “I wanted to take it from him. I had a really good shot on No. 17 and it lipped out. It just wasn’t my day.”
Austin Neisel (76-81) finished 20th individually, while Andrew Sherman (83-84) and Jacob Ledebuhr (84-86) added scores to fuel the Rockets to fourth place in the team standings, their best finish in school history.
Boylan Catholic won the team crown at 54-over for a one-stroke victory over Dunlap. Pontiac took third at 61-over, eight strokes better than Burlington Central.
“My expectations were to be in the top five,” Central coach Deb Twenhafel said. “We wont take a trophy home, but this is still a great accomplishment for these guys. I know they’re disappointed, but I’m very proud.”
In Class 3A, Waubonsie Valley’s Jason Marrs finished fifth with a 2-over 146 after 36 holes at The Den at Fox Creek. Marrs went 2-under Friday sparked by four birdies.
“I felt a little bit of pressure (Friday) night because I was like, ‘I’m in this. I have a chance to win this thing,’” Marrs said. “But once I got going (Saturday) I was just down here to have a good time. And I did. It was fun playing in tough conditions and it really tested my game.”
Marrs, who needed to win a sectional playoff in order to advance to state, said his 70 on Day 1 tied the best round of his season.
“I came out firing,” Marrs said. “I proved to everyone and to myself that I belong among the state’s best.”
