Matt Weber buoys Burlington Central’s hopes at state meet

The signs pointed to Burlington Central’s boys golf team reaching the Class 2A state tournament all season, and Monday’s second-place finish at the Class 2A Freeport Sectional put the Rockets in the field for the first time since 2010.

“That was one of our goals when we started the season,” Central coach Deb Twenhafel said. “That, to me, was the most important one. That’s great for the boys.”

Now, Central is hoping to bring home some hardware at Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University in Normal this weekend.

Senior ace Matt Weber, one of the favorites to win the individual state title, was a freshman on that 2010 team that placed ninth at state. This time around, Twenhafel is hoping for a top-five finish at the very least.

“It would be awesome if we could get into the top three,” Twenhafel said. “I know the boys want to finish better than we did the last time. They would probably have to carry me off the course if we won a trophy. It would be the best for this set of boys to bring home a trophy. They worked their butts off this summer to do things really well this year. They’d be most deserving.”

Weber’s return to the team after missing last year’s state series after being ruled ineligible by the IHSA for attending an in-season, out-of-state tournament has been a boon to the Rockets. He shot an uncharacteristic 74 while battling a fever Monday, but it was still enough to get the Rockets to state. Now, Weber has a chance to make some history. He took eighth as a freshman and 13th as a sophomore at state.

“If he isn’t (a favorite), I’d be surprised,” Twenhafel said. “I know what he wants to do. If he can achieve that, be first in the state, that would be awesome. What a young man he’s become. The maturity and the hours and hours he’s put into the game, he deserves at least the top five for sure.”

Genoa-Kingston’s Tommy Lucca is also in the Class 2A field. In Class 1A, Connor Rejman of Westminster Christian and Frankie Bisconti of Elgin Academy reached the state tournament.

Four area golfers reached the Class 3A meet, as well. Trent Craig of Huntley returns to state, while Jacobs teammates Chris Boyle and Jack Ramsett also advanced.

St. Charles North senior Raghav Cherala capped off a solid four-year varsity run with his first-ever trip to state.

“So many thoughts go through my head,” North coach Rob Prentiss said. “I remember him coming in before his freshman year with his junior tournament results asking if it would be all right if he tried out for varsity. What a terrific kid to have with us for four years.”