Sycamore junior Wes Denny said at one point during the Division I sectional tournament, he felt he was in “cruise control” because his putts seemed to be all going in.

“(Going into the tournament) I felt I was playing well enough to shoot par of better to help the team,” Denny said.

That prediction rang true on Tuesday as Denny shot an even par 72 to capture medalist honors at Glenview Golf Course. Denny said he and the Aviators narrowly missed a trip to state last season, so that’s been motivation during this fall.

“I feel this year we have a better chance,” Denny said.

The Aviators finished second to Moeller Tuesday and qualified as a team to the district tournament at Weatherwax Oct. 10.

Lakota East (315) and Lakota West (319) also qualified as teams to the district tournament.

Sycamore coach Paul Phillips said Denny has been impressive all season especially during the past couple weeks in his course management.

“He is really playing strong and solid,” Phillips said. “For us to go to state he knows…we’ll ride him as far as he can take us. If he goes about and shoot 72 at Weatherwax we will have a good shot of going (to state). He has really done a great job.”

Denny made three birdies Tuesday – on the Nos. 2 and 3 on the South course and No. 9 on East. Moeller coach Rick Bohne gave a lot of credit to Denny, saying he performed very well in the sectional tournament and will be a force next week.

“Sycamore will be good in (the district tournament),” Bohne said.

Moeller, which won the sectional Tuesday, will aim for its sixth consecutive state appearance next week at the district tournament.

By winning the sectional tournament, the Crusaders will have a later tee time when they arrive on the Woodside part of Weatherwax in the district tournament begins Oct. 10.

“They keep battling and fighting and I am very proud of them,” Bohne said. “They have exceeded anything I could have dreamt up this year.”

Junior Simran Magowan, who shot a 6-over par 78 said he feels confident the Crusaders will be ready next week.

“Our biggest asset is our consistency across the board,” Magowan said. “We don’t have a real No. 1.

We’re all number ones really. That’s the name of the game this time of year.”

After the district, the Division I state tournament is Oct. 19-20 at Ohio State University.