The Benet Boys Golf Team continues their drive for success as they have now advanced to the IHSA state final tournament. It was held at the Weibring Golf Club in Normal, Illinois from October 7th to the 8th. The Redwings, mentored by Coaches Martin Gaughan and Ken Leszczynski, placed 2nd out of 12 teams at the sectional tournament on October 3rd to secure their spot in the state tournament. Benet was led by Senior Aidan Maguire and Senior Ryan Danneger, who shot rounds of 70 and 71 respectively. It has been a season of successes, as Benet has also claimed their 4th straight ESCC conference championship title, placing 1st out of 9 teams in the field. In addition to this, the Benet Boys Golf Team has had 5 varsity golfers named all conference champions. 

Over the course of the year, the Benet Golf team has been tirelessly training 5 days a week to perfect their form. “We’re usually going in effect 5 days a week, we usually do Monday through Thursday and then we have things on Saturdays.” reported Leszczynski when asked about the training the Frosh/Soph golfers did to prepare for the tournament, “Whats true at all the lower levels is that you get to see what’s needed to compete at a high level. You get a new group of kids that you have to train, what to do, how to do it, how to act, and how to be respectful, and how to play golf right the Benet way.”

The rigorous training Redwing golfers undergo is all in preparation for the high stakes of match and tournament participation. “You always have to work on your game because theres always a lot of talent around” claimed Leszczynski. The training, however, is not only about the physical aspects of golf, such as swing mechanics, club speed, and footwork, but also about the mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest level. “I think it’s a quiet type of stress, but as you start competing you have a tendency to calm down,” remarked Coach Leszczynski. This combination approach of physical and mental training seems to be working for the team based on their stellar results so far this year. Truly, Benet Boys Golf set high expectations for themselves at the start of the year and have worked diligently to follow through on their goals. “Following through is related to focus, self-discipline, action, and persistence, but it is not synonymous to any of them. Rather, it is a composite of all of them.” said Coach Gaughan.

The Boys Team would perform with that same focus and self-discipline that Coach Gaughan had been talking about before the tournament. The Redwings put on a performance like no other, walking away from the state championship tournament with the hardware of a third place trophy.

For further information, news, and results on the Benet Gold Team please follow them on twitter at @BenetBoysGolf.