From start to finish the Cyclone golf team got better and better, with three guys seeing their lowest round of the year at the NJCAA Region tournament to end the season.

This squad played very similar to those from past seasons—consistent and well. The level of competition and talent among the region teams was just too fierce.

The Cyclones ended their season at regionals (Oct. 4-6) in eighth place. James Goich (Lincoln-Way East), Paul Douglas (Peotone) and Sean McKernan (Andrew) each shot their lowest rounds of the season—72, 74 and 80, respectively. Although Goich's overall score would have secured him a spot at the national tournament last year, it wasn't low enough among the competition this year.

Goich was named to the All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference team for his overall eighth place finish after averaging 78.25 this fall. His teammate, Thomas Rodriguez (Peotone), was just .25 shy of earning an All-Conference medal after averaging 78.75. Those sophomores will move on and continue playing golf elsewhere next year.

"Jimmy did well. He's a great guy to have on the team, a great leader and good student. We've had a great two years with him," said Coach Matt Lovelace, finishing up his third year at the helm. "Thomas also did well. He had a shaky freshman year and turned into Mr. Consistency this year with some low 80s and high 70s."

McKernan was new to the golf team this season after competing on the Cyclone tennis team last spring. He is looking to continue golfing at Governors State University.

The biggest addition was Douglas. "He surprised me with a 74 at regions. He found something there. I'm excited for him and what he can do," Lovelace said.

Akim Bizati (Lockport Township) and Michael Rollberg (Oak Lawn) also were solid additions to the team with plenty of promise for next year. "Akim has the best swing I've ever seen. He just had a frustrating season. Mike will work hard for a full-time starting position. He'll do what Thomas did and figure it out over the summer," Lovelace said.

Although the end results weren't quite what the Cyclones had hoped for, they look forward to more successes in the future.

"Our guys really improved this year. Everybody progressed, and they played well, shot good rounds. This season was not exactly what we were looking for, but we have a lot of opportunity next year to win conference and region. A lot of other schools are losing guys, so it'll be exciting to see what we can do," Lovelace said.