Cyclone golf doubled the number of days playing their sport over last year and performed well all season long, enough for All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference honors and strong finishes at the NJCAA Region IV tournament.

More than anything, this team was consistent. They placed second in every Skyway conference outing, always behind College of Lake County, which had a golfer who would score in the upper 60s or low 70s. They even edged out Waubonsee Community College for second in some close matches. Still, the Cyclones kept their cool and played some good golf.

"Overall it was a great season, and they lowered their scores throughout. Any other year, and we would have won the conference," said Head Coach Matt Lovelace, ending his sixth season heading the program.

Leading the team were sophomores Randy Miller and Jack McDonald, both of whom stepped up and helped the newcomers adjust to college golf with tips on the unfamiliar courses and the range. Miller averaged an 83 and earned All-Conference honors after placing sixth overall in the Skyway. McDonald averaged an 85 and earned ninth All-Conference.

The Cyclones had newcomers in Noah Holstrom, Ryan Krell, Tommy Schaaf and Michael Smeraldo. Smeraldo earned seventh All-Conference and averaged 83 while Schaaf earned eighth All-Conference with an 84 average, his best score of the year being a 75.

The players improved continuously and peaked at the region tournament, where they finished in eighth place among a competitive field.

"This was a great team. They had pretty good scores at regionals and peaked at the right time," Lovelace said. "It was a very good season in terms of team bonding. Everybody showed up happy to play golf. Plus, we came away with four All-Conference players, too."