The 2025 IHSA Golf State Finals are in full swing, and the competition is fiercer than ever! But here's where it gets intense: after the first round in Bloomington-Normal and Decatur, only the top teams and players are advancing to Day 2. Who will rise to the top and claim the state trophies and medals? Let’s dive into the results and see who’s still in the running.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) boys and girls golf state finals kicked off on Friday, with golfers from across the state teeing off at courses in Bloomington-Normal and Decatur. The stakes are high: only the top eight teams and the top 40 individual golfers not on those teams advance to the next round in each of the Class 1A, 2A, and 3A boys divisions, as well as the Class 1A and 2A girls divisions. These players will return on Saturday for another round, where the top three teams in each division will earn state trophies, and the top 10 golfers will take home state medals.
And this is the part most people miss: the Peoria area is well-represented, with 24 individuals and four teams competing across the finals. You can find the full list of Peoria-area golfers here.
Class 1A Boys
At Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, the advancing teams include Teutopolis (313), Elgin Harvest Christian (317), Fulton (320), and Glen Carbon Father McGivney (323), among others. Controversially, some teams just missed the cut, like Hall (338), whose players showed promise but fell short. The top individual advancers include Wyatt Novotny (Bureau Valley, senior) with an impressive 70, followed by Jacob Voss (Fulton, senior) at 72. Peoria-area golfers like Crew Fortin (Illini Bluffs, junior) and Drake Hanson (Lewistown/Valley/Cuba, junior) also advanced, though others, like Will Snyder (Brimfield, freshman), didn’t make the cut.
Class 2A Boys
Over at Weibring Golf Club in Normal, West Chicago Wheaton Academy (297) and Washington (300) led the team standings. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Is the gap between the top teams and the rest widening, or is this just a particularly strong year for the leaders? Nolan Eccles (Dunlap, junior) and Owen Coniaris (WCWA, junior) tied for the top individual score at 69. Peoria-area golfers like Nick Herget (Dunlap, junior) and Carter Lippens (Dunlap, junior) advanced, showcasing local talent.
Class 3A Boys
At The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington, Evanston (291) and Winnetka New Trier (296) dominated the team standings. But is Evanston’s lead insurmountable, or will we see a comeback on Day 2? Lester Low (Evanston, sophomore) stunned with a 65, while Peoria’s Shane Cunningham (Richwoods, freshman) advanced with a 77. Unfortunately, Hayden Lochbaum (Richwoods, senior) didn’t make the cut.
Class 1A Girls
At Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur, Mt. Carmel (316) and Quincy Notre Dame (329) led the team standings. But here’s where it gets controversial: some teams, like Macomb (377), struggled despite strong individual performances. Miley Kennard (Mount Carmel, senior) topped the individual standings with a 74. Peoria-area golfers Sara Finn (Illini Bluffs, senior) and Sophie Wilson (Macomb, senior) advanced, though others, like Gillian Tyra (Metamora, junior), fell short.
Class 2A Girls
At Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth, Northbrook Glenbrook North (306) and Lincolnshire Stevenson (309) led the pack. But is this the year we see a new team rise to the top, or will the favorites hold their ground? Grece Leber (New Trier, senior) led the individual standings with a 69. Peoria’s Leah Brown (Pekin, junior) and Sydney Hunt (Dunlap, junior) advanced, proving the area’s depth in talent.
As the competition heats up, one thing is clear: every stroke counts. What do you think? Will the favorites hold on, or will we see some surprising upsets on Day 2? Let us know in the comments below! For more updates, follow Adam Duvall, Journal Star sports reporter, on Twitter @AdamDuvall or email him at aduvall@pjstar.com.
