BOYS GOLF WINS STATE TITLE!
Days like October 8th don’t come around often for any school. This one played out at the Weibring Golf Course in Normal, Illinois, and to say it was special is an understatement.
After hitting the links on Friday, and then returning for another round Saturday, the Saint Ignatius Boys Golf Team won the IHSA 2A State Championship for the second time. It’s the only team in Saint Ignatius history to pull off back-to-back wins like that.
Head Coach Steve Jacoby talked about the dramatic final moments of the tournament:
It was hole number 18. Charlie Krasnewich ’24, was the last to tee off, and he didn’t know the team was up by four strokes. After putting his drive into a fairway bunker, Krasnewich '24 hit his bunker shot just short of the green.
“I walked up to him and he told me his heart was pounding 100 miles a minute,” said Coach Jacoby, “And then Charlie asked, ‘What do I need to do?’"
The coach told him to take a deep breath, and said, “Charlie, just chip it up on the green, and put it in, and it’s over with. You guys are here for a reason. You’re the best in the state. You earned this.”
Right after that, Jacoby watched as Charlie two-putted for the win, as he’s done so many times. It was *the* moment that topped a season of moments and years of dedication. Jacoby said, "The amount of time players and parents put in to try and make sure the team can be its best, is amazing.”
On that note, Saint Ignatius College Prep Athletic Director Mike Hurley said, “Success in any sport takes dedication, practice, teamwork and talent...The opportunity to watch our team perform at this high level two consecutive years in a row speaks volumes to what an outstanding group of student-athletes we have had within our golf program.”
Hurley also commended the students for upholding the “tremendous character that fully represents the values and mission” of the school.
Head Coach Steve Jacoby talked about the dramatic final moments of the tournament:
It was hole number 18. Charlie Krasnewich ’24, was the last to tee off, and he didn’t know the team was up by four strokes. After putting his drive into a fairway bunker, Krasnewich '24 hit his bunker shot just short of the green.
“I walked up to him and he told me his heart was pounding 100 miles a minute,” said Coach Jacoby, “And then Charlie asked, ‘What do I need to do?’"
The coach told him to take a deep breath, and said, “Charlie, just chip it up on the green, and put it in, and it’s over with. You guys are here for a reason. You’re the best in the state. You earned this.”
Right after that, Jacoby watched as Charlie two-putted for the win, as he’s done so many times. It was *the* moment that topped a season of moments and years of dedication. Jacoby said, "The amount of time players and parents put in to try and make sure the team can be its best, is amazing.”
On that note, Saint Ignatius College Prep Athletic Director Mike Hurley said, “Success in any sport takes dedication, practice, teamwork and talent...The opportunity to watch our team perform at this high level two consecutive years in a row speaks volumes to what an outstanding group of student-athletes we have had within our golf program.”
Hurley also commended the students for upholding the “tremendous character that fully represents the values and mission” of the school.
Team Chaplain, Fr. Mark Luedtke said, "Our young men look out for one another, challenge one another, and lift up one another, all the while being men for others on and off the course. Our team received numerous compliments for being good competitors, good teammates, and especially good people."
Congratulations to Ian Love ’23, Liam Nelson ’23, Quinn Ross ’23, Matt Walsh ’23, Jacob Gupta ’24, Charlie Krasnewich ’24, and Tim Vyverberg ’23. To hear what the student- athletes had to say about the big win, just click here.
Saint Ignatius College Prep
Saint Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit Catholic school in the heart of Chicago, is a diverse community dedicated to educating young men and women for lives of faith, love, service and leadership.
