Tyler Samaan kept the promise that he made to himself Wednesday afternoon.

Mostly.

Samaan, a Burlington Central junior, told himself that he wouldn’t look at the Fox Valley Conference Tournament leaderboard throughout the round so that he could only focus on himself. When a friend told Samaan he just needed to par his last hole to win the FVC title, he was happy for intel.

Samaan made par to win the individual conference tournament and help the Rockets win the team title.

“I just looked back at what I always do and took it really slow, putt by putt, hole by hole,” Samaan said. “It worked out for me.”

It also worked out for the Rockets, who won the FVC title after shooting a collective 299. Jacobs finished second with a 302, Crystal Lake Central took third at 303, Prairie Ridge earned fourth at 306 while Hampshire placed fifth at 310.

Cary-Grove and Huntley (321) tied for sixth while McHenry (327), Dundee-Crown (344) and Crystal Lake South (349) rounded things out.

Samaan responded after finishing 1-over in the front nine with a dominant showing in the back. He birdied holes 10, 16 and 18, which helped him pick up a two-stroke lead heading into the final hole. He made par at hole one to secure the FVC title by shooting a 68.

Rockets coach Tom Davies knew Samaan could make the right adjustments to earn the FVC crown. Samaan had been an anchor for Burlington Central the past two seasons and continued his meteoric rise this year.

“He’s made an even bigger jump this year,” Davies said. “Ty is amazing. It’s enjoyable to see him play golf and play the way that I know he can play.”

Samaan edged out Hampshire junior Nolan Adamczyk, who led for a good part of the day and finished a couple strokes behind the leader at 70. Crystal Lake Central senior Jack Bice tied for third with Jacobs senior Barrett Rennell and Rockets senior Camden Sarallo by shooting an even-par 72 but won the tiebreaker to earn a medal.

Jacobs freshman Logan Henning placed sixth with a 73, Tigers sophomore Tommy Laird and PR senior Austin Klauser tied for seventh at 74 while Hampshire senior Seth Gillie and Jacobs Braden Behrens rounded out the top 10 with a 75 and 76, respectively.

Adamczyk started strong after bogeying the first hole with five birdies in the front nine to stand at 3-under. But Adamczyk bogeyed at hole 17 and earned par at 18 to finish second overall.

He was proud to finish second at the tournament heading into postseason play.

“It was just sticking to what I do,” Adamczyk said. “I play aggressive and it was working out. I was hitting good shots close to the pin. Keeping with my aggressive nature helped me to play well.”

The Rockets’ depth played a strong role in their success once again Wednesday. Sophomore Tommy Wyse (78) finished 16th overall, senior Matthew Kowalik (81) placed 23rd, senior Ben Chesney (83) earned 31st and junior Debin Hughes (87) took 48th.

While the headliners performed well for the Rockets, Davies said BC couldn’t win a team title without its deep lineup.

“We flex our depth,” Davies said. “We obviously have some high-end talent with Ty, Cam and those guys. We would not be where we are without our depth.”

BC will hope to flex its depth throughout the season as its tries to return to the state tournament once again. The Rockets feel like they’re hitting all cylinders at the right time.

They’re excited to see what happens next.

“It’s definitely a big confidence booster for all of us,” Samaan said of winning the conference. “To know what we can go out and win regional, sectional, maybe state. It was a big step for us.”

Girls tournament

The fourth time was the charm for Crystal Lake Central co-op’s Delaney Medlyn on Wednesday at Crystal Woods Golf Club.

Medlyn came close to winning the Fox Valley Conference Tournament in her first three tries, placing in the top five each time, but couldn’t get over the hump.

So the Cary-Grove senior went into her fourth and final FVC tourney with a winning mentality.

“I came in with the mindset that I was not losing,” said Medlyn, who took third last year, fourth as a sophomore and fifth as a freshman. “To actually do it was so relieving. It feels amazing.”

Medlyn carded a 6-over-par 78 to earn medalist honors, defeating Prairie Ridge’s Jenna Albanese, last year’s individual champion, in a one-hole playoff on the par-4, 338-yard No. 1.

Medlyn, with dozens of golfers, coaches and family following along, made a bogey while Albanese had a double.

Led by Medlyn, the Tigers won the FVC Tournament team championship for the second year in a row with a 344. Prairie Ridge (366) took second and McHenry (367) was third.

Rounding out the scoring for the Tigers were senior Madeline Trannel (fifth, 84) junior Rylee Rud (ninth, 88) and sophomore Ryleigh Mazzacano (13th, 94).

Medlyn and Albanese played in the same group, with Medlyn trailing by three shots through nine holes. Medlyn wouldn’t get even until the final hole, the par-5, 465-yard No. 18, when she made a 15-foot putt for birdie while Albanese made par.

Going into No. 18, Medlyn was unsure if she trailed Albanese by one or two shots.

It didn’t affect her confidence whatsoever.

“If I didn’t birdie it, I was going to eagle it,” she said. “I’m sitting here looking at it, knowing I’m walking off this green making it.”

Medlyn hit her tee shot right of the fairway on the playoff hole but recovered and went on to tap in for bogey to win the individual title.

“I love playing with Jenna, she’s amazing and it’s so much fun,” Medlyn said. “We’re both so close all the time, it keeps everybody on their toes. … I told her as we left, if there was anyone I could pick to be in a playoff, it’s her.”

Albanese, who was the only local golfer to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament last season, led most of the day. A double bogey on No. 15 gave Medlyn an opening.

“I was pretty confident, I wasn’t that nervous,” Albanese said of going to a playoff. “We had just finished, so we hadn’t done a lot of waiting around. Even though I didn’t play my best on the playoff hole and ended up losing, I felt I played good today.

“I’m feeling good about going into regionals Tuesday, and that’s when it all matters to try and qualify for state.”

Albanese said her group – Medlyn, Huntley’s Maddie Sloan and Jacobs’ Natalie Zimmerman – made it a great day.

Albanese also was crowned the FVC points champion, which combines conference dual and tournament results.

“I came in today just planning on having fun because I’m like best friends with all of them,” she said. “I knew it was going to be a fun day, either way.”

Trannel, who goes to Central, was excited to win the team’s second FVC title in a row. Despite the team being made up of golfers from Central, Crystal Lake South and C-G, most of them have played together throughout their junior golf careers.

“That’s what’s cool about it, we’ve all know each other for so long,” Trannel said. “Senior year, I wanted to end on a high note my last time playing Crystal Woods as a Tiger.”

Dundee-Crown senior Sophie Morawski took third overall, three shots behind Medlyn and Albanese with an 81. At last year’s meet, she shot a 101.

“My iron shots were good, but I’m kind of disappointed because I ended with a double,” Morawski said. “I had a lot of good outs because I was in the trees a lot. A lot better than last year. I really needed it because my last 18 this season was a 95.

“I’m really hoping to make it to state my senior year. Just don’t get mad at myself. I just need to get over those bad shots.”

Huntley senior Maddie Sloan placed fourth with an 82. Her round included her very first eagle on the par-5, 421-yard No. 8.

“That was probably my favorite part of the day,” Sloan said. “I hit a drive that was about 160 [feet out], I took a 7-iron and I put it maybe 12 feet [from the pin] and I sunk it. I did not think it was going in when I hit it, so I was excited.”

McHenry senior Jennifer Henry placed sixth with an 86 after shooting a 97 last year.

“This is my best round here,” Henry said. “My putting is what saved me today. I putted from off the green and made it for par, so that was nice. I’m just working on my mental game because it’s a big part of golf. I think if I work on that, I’ll do good [at regionals] and shoot better than I did today. I’m proud of myself.”

Rounding out the top-10 individuals were McHenry senior Kilynn Axelson (seventh, 87), Prairie Ridge’s Grace Mertel (eighth, 87) and Huntley sophomore Kinsey Hayes (10th, 89).

Huntley (377) was fourth in the team standings, followed by Hampshire (381) in fifth and Jacobs (385) in sixth. Burlington Central (396) was seventh and Dundee-Crown (427) was eighth.

The All-FVC team is made up of the top 18 golfers in the end-of-season points standings (combining dual and tournament results).

Making the All-FVC team were (starting with the most points): Albanese, Morawski, Medlyn, Sloan, Trannel, Mertel, Henry, Natalie Zimmerman, Rud, Hayes, Axelson, Hampshire’s Kaylee Seo, Burlington Central’s Riya Gangavarapu, Jacobs’ Bianca Ramirez, Jacobs’ Kate Maurus, Hampshire’s Maddie Franz, D-C’s Audrey Zimmerman and McHenry’s Abby Powers.

– – Alex Kantecki, Shaw Local News Network

Jacobs’ Natalie Zimmerman watches her tee shot on the 5th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
Gregory Shaver

Crystal Lake Central’s Delaney Medlyn watches her tee shot on the 5th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
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Crystal Lake Central’s Delaey Medlyn reacts to missing a putt on the 5th green during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
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Prairie Ridge’s Jenna Albanese putts on the 4th green during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
Gregory Shaver

Crystal Lake Central’s Rylee Rud watches her tee shot on the 5th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
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Prairie Ridge’s Grace Mertel watches her tee shot on the 5th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
Gregory Shaver

Prairie Ridge’s Lily Myers watches her tee shot on the 5th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
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Dundee-Crown’s Sophie Morawski lines up a putts on the10th green during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
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Prairie Ridge’s Lily Myers and Jacobs’ Kate Maurus talks about where to hit the ball on the 5th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
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Huntley’s Maddie Sloan chips onto the 4th green during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
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Huntley’s Taig Bhathal putts on the 6th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
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Dundee-Crown’s Jared Russell chips not the 9th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
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Huntley’s Taig Bhathal putts on the 6th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
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Hampshire’s Kaylee See putts not eh 10th green during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
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McHenry’s Alex Lashelle reacts to missing a putt on the 9th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
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Burlington Central’s Devin Hughes watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
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Huntley’s Kinsey Hayes watches her tee shot on the 5th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
Gregory Shaver

Prairie Ridge’s JJ Lee reacts to missing a putt on the 6th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Dundee-Crown’s Sophie Morawski lines up a putt on the10th green during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
Gregory Shaver

Burlington Central’s Tyler Samaan lines up a putt on the 10th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
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Crystal Lake South’s Jack Wilcox lines up a putt on 9th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
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Cary-Grove’s Joseph Boldt putts on the 6th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
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Crystal Lake Central’s Delaney Medlyn lin3es up a putt on the 5th green during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
Gregory Shaver

Prairie Ridge’s Jenna Albanese watches her tee shot on the 5th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
Gregory Shaver

Prairie Ridge’s JJ Lee chips onto the 6th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Hampshire’s Nolan Adamczyk reacts to missing a birdie putt on the 11th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Hampshire’s Estancia Arenas watches her tee shot on the 11th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Girls Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at Crystal Woods Golf Club in Woodstock.
Gregory Shaver

Crystal Lake Central’s Jack Brice putts on the 11th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Crystal Lake Central’s Jack Brice watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Jacobs’ Barrett Rennell watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Hampshire’s Nolan Adamczyk reacts to missing a birdie putt on the 11th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Crystal Lake Central Asher Johnson watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Hampshire’s Nolan Adamczyk watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Burlington Central’s Camden Sarallo watches his fairway shot on the 10th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Jacobs’ Barrett Rennell reacts to just missing holing out a chip shot on the11th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Burlington Central’s Tyler Samaan watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver

Crystal Lake Central’s Tommy Laird chips onto the 10th green during the Fox Valley Conference Boys Golf Tournament Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at RedTail Golf Club in Lakewood.
Gregory Shaver