Boys Golf: Caden Pierce, power-packed Glenbard West lineup poised for a return trip to state

As one of the top high school basketball players in the area, Glenbard West senior Caden Pierce knows a little about pressure.

And handling pressure is something he can bring to his golf game for the Hilltoppers.

“There are physical components, getting bigger and faster in basketball, which helps me hit the golf ball,” he said. “I think playing against some of the best competition in the country this summer in basketball, I’ve been on a pretty big stage. I think I can handle the pressure on the golf course.”

Glenbard West is in position to return to the state tournament; Pierce and fellow senior John Wild competed at state as sophomores. The Hilltoppers finished fifth in 2019 but are gunning for more after a 2020 season in which the furthest they could advance was winning a Class 3A sectional.

Coach Paul Hezlett returns five of six players who participated in that sectional at Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol: Pierce, Wild, senior Ryan Park, junior Matthew Valdick and sophomore Grant Roscich. That’s a power-packed lineup, which should bode well for the Hilltoppers, especially late in the season.

But wait just a minute. Pierce said he and his teammates aren’t getting ahead of themselves, even though it is exciting to have a state tournament unlike last year.

“I definitely think it’s more exciting but we’re going with the same attitude and focus – one day at a time and one shot at a time,” he said. “Don’t look too far ahead because one day can be the end.”

Hezlett agreed.

“Not having that state tournament last year was a disappointment,” he said. “They are looking at it as an opportunity. I think this is a group that knows the potential and they are going to go out and see what they can do.”

After finishing third at the West Suburban Silver meet a year ago – despite going 6-0 in league matches – and second in the Glenbard East Regional, the Hilltoppers rose up and seized the Oswego Sectional title with a score of 300, nine better than runner-up Hinsdale Central. Wild and Roscich tied for the individual title with rounds of 73, with Wild winning a playoff.

“He’s a great athlete, period,” Hezlett said of Wild, who also won a sectional title in 2019. “He grew up playing basketball and golf, and he decided to focus on golf. He’s got great size and that has helped him. He hits the ball a long way and that’s an advantage.”

The Hilltoppers will play in several top-flight invitationals this season unlike last year when they were limited to just conference matches. They’ll take part in the Conway Farms Boys Invitational on Aug. 30, facing powers such as New Trier, Glenbrook North and Lake Forest.

Playing better teams will help Glenbard West be at the top of its game at the end, said Roscich, who added he improved his game this summer by playing in a host of American Junior Golf Association events across the country.

“We’re playing better competition in a variety of areas,” he said. “I know a lot of guys from tournaments around the area like the North Shore. Going up against them, it’s going to help us know what we’re going to be facing at state this year.”