SANDWICH — Griffin Ohlinger made it his goal before starting his junior season that he wanted to qualify for an IHSA Sectional. The Rochelle Hub varsity golf standout accomplished that goal Wednesday afternoon, shooting 84 and tying for 10th in the IHSA 2A Sandwich Regional at Edgebrook Golf Course to qualify as an individual for his first sectional tournament.

“It feels amazing,” Ohlinger said. “This was my goal and this was what I focused on this season. The course was pretty rough today. There were a lot of dry areas and the greens were rolling pretty slow, but I thought that played to my advantage. I started strong on the front nine and I focused on three-hole increments. I struggled at the end of my round, but I had enough wiggle room with my early-round scores to qualify for the sectional tournament.”

Rochelle finished eighth out of nine schools in the regional meet, recording a team score of 422 with Ohlinger leading the way. Junior Damen Harrington carded 104, while freshman Breydan Andrews and junior Wade Smith rounded out the lineup with scores of 114 and 120. The IHSA 2A Sycamore Sectional at Kishwaukee Country Club will take place on Monday, Oct. 4.

“I was getting off the tee box really well today,” Ohlinger said. “My driver was pretty consistent, which helped me out today, and my putting was pretty good as well. It’d be awesome if I could qualify for the state meet. I think that would be an amazing feeling.”

Interstate 8

The Rochelle Hub varsity golf team competed in the Interstate 8 Conference Championship at Bliss Creek on Monday, finishing eighth with a team score of 433. Junior Griffin Ohlinger tied for 23rd overall with 85 to secure an All-Conference Honorable Mention for the second straight season.