By TR HARLAN

The Chesterton boys golf team got a chance to see the Duneland Athletic Conference favorites, Lake Central, on Friday and found out they can play with them shot for shot.

In a shortened Michigan City Marquette Invitational at Michigan City Municipal Golf Course, the Indians and Trojans tied with identical 149 scores on the front nine, but LC’s fifth score provided the difference in the tiebreaker.

“I see a lot of improvement and we are really working hard,” Chesterton coach John Sparks said. “I think we’re playing pretty well.”

The event was originally scheduled for 18 holes, but a late start didn’t provide enough daylight for all teams to complete play.

“If you look at our last 18 hole matches we are about six shots from what the state cut probably will be,” Sparks said. “We just need to mentally figure out what it takes to get those last few shots.”

Ryan Grassel led the Trojans on the front nine with a 36, while Josh Kalita and Nick Stasil fired 37’s. Stasil finished the day with a team best 74.

“If that tournament goes 18, Stasil shot 74 and probably holds on for medalist,” Sparks said. “He’s playing really well. He shot 75 on Saturday at the Frosh-Soph Invite and ran away with the meet.”

The Trojans still have some things to work on, but Sparks likes what he sees.

“Competitively, I think we need to play a little more to win,” Sparks said. “Kind of focus a little more on putting the ball in the hole and less on mechanics. I think they’d see results if they did that.”

Michigan City Marquette Invitational

AT MICHIGAN CITY MUNICIPAL, Par 36

Team Results

1. Lake Central, 149; 2. Chesterton, 149; 3. Valparaiso, 154; 4. Mishawaka Marian, 160; 5. Penn, 160; 6. Michigan City, 163; 7. Andrean, 163; 8. LaPorte, 167; 9. Michigan City Marquette, 174; 10. New Prairie, 179; 11. LaLumiere, 191; 12. Bishop Noll, 193; 13. Wheeler, 194; 14. South Central, 246.

Individual Results

Medalist – Jacob Bailey (South Central), 36.

Lake Central – Ryan Schuldt 36, Kyle Hackel 37, TJ Konvalinka 38, Ronnie Prestamer 38.

Chesterton – Ryan Grassel 36, Josh Kalita 37, Nick Stasil 37, Kyle Grassel 39, Pat Herrod 44.

Valparaiso – Steve Bowker 37, Eric Lisak 38, Brian Bartholomew 39, Cliff Bryan 40.

Mishawaka Marian – Adam Sumrall 37, Mike Goeperich 40, Nick Fitzpatrick 41, Mike Stratigas 42.

Penn – Kyle Burrow 38, Joe Bella 39, Adam Stump 40, Robbie Brown 41.

Michigan City – Kyle Krause 39, Drake Edmond 40, Mike Timm 41, Alex Pishkur 43.

Andrean – Will Gogolak 38, Steve Drabick 40, Nate Svihlik 41, Ben Foster 44.

LaPorte – Nick Nastase 40, Gabe Struss 41, Kyle Bowden 43, Brad Cusick 43.

Michigan City Marquette – Hayden Janowiak 42, Andrea Mson 42, Geoff Crews 44, Eric Pakiuszewski 45.

New Prairie – Steve Provacek 41, Brandon Kresca 42, Adam Harmon 44, Ben Davis 52.

LaLumiere – Calvin Kesling 43, Taylor Duniton 44, Pete Kaminski 51, Cody Dunifom 53.

Bishop Noll – Luke Fornacciari 43, Aaron Amick 46, Joe Grogan 50, Robert Marini 54.

Wheeler – Ilija Lavovich 42, Josh Jetmund 47, Noah Kasper 52, Clinton Sebala 53.

South Central – Jacob Bailey 36, Ethan Kitchell 69, Steve Rice 69, Bryan Campbell 72.

Posted 4/21/2008