EP shot a 326 to secure third place among the 12 competing schools, with the top three teams qualifying for the finals, which will be held in Bloomington on Friday and Saturday.
Byron won the sectional on their home course with a 320 four man total. Niles (Northridge Prep) was second at 322, Riverdale fourth at 333 and Rockridge fifth at 337.
Senior multi-year state qualifier, Owen VanZuiden of Fulton was medalist on the par 72 course with a 76.
The Panthers fine front nine on the beautiful afternoon of 158 actually led the tournament after nine holes. The back nine played tougher for the entire field and the Panthers 168 allowed them to hold on and advance.
The Panthers were led again by their number one golfer Grayson Johnston with a 79. He started with a double bogey, had 2 birdies on the front and had a triple bogey on #15 but otherwise played great golf. He parred the last three holes when the squad was fighting to hold on to third.
The Panthers next score was Gavin Vandyke with an 81 and Keegan Ryan added an 82 with a big birdie on the par 3, 13th. The only senior on the squad, Sawyer Copleland rounded out the scoring with an 84.
The Panthers two freshmen on the squad also had 84s and both Brady Timmerman and Brevin Vandyke had a birdie on the front side to highlight their rounds.
Head coach Ryan Winckler had a nervous afternoon but it all ended well. “We thought if we could be around 330 we would be in the hunt. Our front nine was fantastic and we became the hunted on the back. After a couple bad holes we did a great job of refocusing and were able to come through with the pressure on down the stretch. Im so happy for the boys.”
The Panthers will give it their all this weekend in the 1A State Tournament.
