Tuesday, January 31, 2017

STATE CHAMPIONS!

U-High brought home the 10th State Championship in the history of the program in dramatic comeback fashion. Starting the day 9 shots behind, the Pioneers cut the lead to 4 after the front 9. They continued to chip away on the back 9 finishing off the comeback to win the state championship by 6 shots over Marmion Academy.

U-High saved their best for last. Steady play by Dallas Koth posting his second consecutive 74, Tony Palumbo making 9 straight pars to finish the tournament, Alex Kullman righting the ship to par the last 4 holes, and senior Dylan Panizo capping his career with a solid 76.

Cheered on by parents, family and friends U-High finished off a stellar year by accomplishing the goal they set 365 days earlier. Coming off a disappointing 10th place finish in 2015, the boys were not going to let anything stand in their way of reaching the top of the mountain.

Congrats boys U earned it! State Champions!

Dallas Koth 148 (74/74) 2nd Place Individual All-State
Tony Palumbo 155 (79/76)
Dylan Panizo 159 (83/76)
Alex Kullman 162 (80/82)
Ben Bazan 166 (83/83)
Ethan Huynh 171 (88/83)

State Finals - Day 1

The Pioneers fought the usual cold and windy conditions on the 1st day of the IHSA State Finals. U-High shot a team score of 316 to finish the day in 3rd place. They are 9 shots out of the lead behind Mundelein Carmel and Aurora Marmion Academy.

Dallas Koth 74
Tony Palumbo 79
Alex Kullman 82
Dylan Panizo 83
Ben Bazan 83
Ethan Huynh 88

On to State!

The Pioneers were edged by Morton for the Sectional title. The 2nd place finish is still good enough for the boys to move onto the State Finals at Weibring Golf Club. U-High had a 310 team total, 2 shots behind the winners.

Dallas Koth 72 (2nd Indv)
Dylan Panizo 78
Tony Palumbo 79
Alex Kullman 81
Ben Bazan 82
Ethan Huynh 89

Pioneers Take Regional Title

U-High fired at 300 team total at Kellogg Golf Course in Peoria. The Pioneers edged rival Morton to bring home the Regional championship. Dallas Koth won the individual regional title with a 3 under 69. The boys move onto Sectionals at Metamora Fields Golf Club.

Dallas Koth 69 (Medalist)
Ethan Huynh 76 (5th Indv)
Dylan Panizo 77 (6th Indv)
Tony Palumbo 78 (8th Indv)
Ben Bazan 79
Alex Kullman 82

Cornbelt Conference Champions

The Pioneers are back to back Cornbelt Conference champions with a win at El Paso Golf Club. This is the final Cornbelt Conference Golf Tournament as the conference will disband at the end of the 2017 school year. U-High finished with a 300 team total and placed all 6 players on the all-conference team.

Dylan Panizo 73 (2nd Indv)
Dallas Koth 73 (2nd Indv)
Tony Palumbo 76 (4th Indv)
Ben Bazan 78 (7th Indv)
Alex Kullman 81 (10th)
Ethan Huynh 81 (10th)

Runner-up at Pekin Dragon Classi

The Pioneers tallied 303 as a team to finish in 2nd place at Lick Creek Golf Club. U-High was edged by Edwardsville for the team title. Dallas Koth and Dylan Panizo both finished in the top 10 individually.

Dallas Koth 72 (4th Indv)
Dylan Panizo 74 (8th Indv)
Tony Palumbo 77
Ethan Huynh 80
Alex Kullman 82
Ben Bazan 82

Another Victory at Wolf Creek

U-High scored a back to back victory in the Livingston County Invitational at Wolf Creek Golf Club. The Pioneers fired at 306 team total and were lead by Medalist Dallas Koth.

Dallas Koth 73 (Medalist)
Alex Kullman 76 (6th Indv)
Dylan Panizo 77 (8th Indv)
Ben Bazan 80
Tony Palumbo 81

3rd at Intercity

Under perfect scoring conditions at Ironwood Golf Course, U-High fired a 300 team total. The Pioneers finished 3rd behind Normal Community and Normal West. U-High had 3 players finish in the top 10 individually.

Dallas Koth 70  (2nd Indv)
Tony Palumbo 75 (7th Indv)
Ben Bazan 76 (9th Indv)
Dylan Panizo 79
Alex Kullman 79
Ethan Huynh 80

4th Place at Mattoon Invite

U-High earned a 4th place finish at the 36-hole Mattoon Invitational. The Pioneers fired at 303 on Friday at Meadowview Golf Course and 315 on Saturday at Mattoon Country Club.

Dallas Koth 148 (75/73) 5th Indv
Dylan Panizo 151 (71/80) 9th Indv
Ben Bazan 159 (76/83)
Ethan Huynh 163 (83/80)
Alex Kullman 164 (81/83)
Tony Palumbo 167 (85/82)

Back to Back Wins at Danville

U-High won it's 3rd consecutive tournament of the year at The Danville Viking Classic. It was also a back to back win as they won the 2015 event.  U-High posted a 308 total at Turtle Run Golf Club.

Dallas Koth 73 (Medalist)
Dylan Panizo 77 (8th)
Tony Palumbo 77 (9th)
Alex Kullman 81
Ethan Huynh 81
Ben Bazan 90

The Den Challenge Champions

The Pioneers captured their 2nd straight tournament at The Den Challenge.  The team earned the win in a playoff over Nequa Valley.  Dallas Koth birdied the 1st playoff hole as he and Tony Palumbo teamed up in the playoff. The Pioneers earned 5.5 out of a possible 8 points in the tournament.