BLOOMINGTON - William Cullen and Dusty Koth have seen good weather at state golf tournaments and winter-like weather. The frigid conditions that greeted them during Thursday morning's practice round at The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course suggested December instead of October. The only thing missing was snow.

They've also been part of a runaway victory and felt the adrenaline of making a back-nine charge to rally for a win.

"That was the most satisfying," said Cullen.

Now, the University High School seniors get the rare opportunity only a handful of golfers in state history ever have experienced.

Cullen and Koth shoot for their fourth straight title when they lead U High into the Class AA State Tournament that begins at 8:30 a.m. today at The Den. The final round is Saturday.

Monmouth won six straight Class A titles from 1985-90, while Carmi captured five straight Class A crowns from 1975-79. Rockford East won four straight one-class championships from 1942-45.

U High won Class A titles in 2003 and 2004 (the latter by 42 strokes) before being bumped up to Class AA last year. They trailed by four strokes after the first round before coming back to shoot 290 in the final round for a state-tourney record 587 total and a one-shot victory over New Trier.

"I haven't really thought about it. It's not like you feel pressure," said Koth, who was a Class A All-Stater as a freshman and sophomore. "It's more like that would be really cool and would motivate you. We're going out to win it and not trying not to lose it. We're all actually excited about it."

New Trier is equally excited about trying to knock off U High. The Trevians also lost by a stroke to U High in the season-opening Raider Classic at The Den.

"We didn't talk about it (last year) on the way down, but it's a point of focus every year how important strokes are," said New Trier coach Robert Ruiz. "If you look back at the last five or six state tournaments, the margin is so small."

U High has more state experience in its lineup than New Trier. Along with Cullen and Koth, sophomore Kyle English was an integral part of last year's state championship.

New Trier's only returning golfer from last year is junior Wilson Bowen.

However, anyone who knows anything about New Trier golf realizes the Trevians never rebuild. They just reload.

"We've got the guys to play with them," said Ruiz. "Whether it's them trying to beat us or us trying to beat them, we both have to be careful not to let Lake Forest sneak in and beat both of us."

And not just Lake Forest, Ruiz added. There's also Quincy, Pekin, Hinsdale Central (which beat host New Trier in the sectional) or perhaps another team.

"I'm real excited because the competition is going to be strong and there's another three or four teams that will give us a run for our money," said Cullen. "You don't just want to win easily. It's fun to have competition. Hopefully it brings out the best in us."

His senior season certainly has brought out the best in Cullen.

Starting from the 3-under-par 69 he shot in the Raider Classic to earn medalist honors, Cullen has been the Pioneers' No. 1 player all season. Cullen fired a 4-under 68 to lead the Pioneers to the sectional championship Tuesday at Balmoral Woods Country Club in Crete.

English shot 68 to become medalist in the regional at Pontiac Elks, while Koth went 73-74 in the regional and sectional, respectively.

"My game feels pretty good," said Koth. "I changed a few things in the summer and things are starting to work out. The main thing is you have to believe in yourself."

Junior Eric Meier, whose family lives off the 11th fairway at The Den, completes U High's "Fearsome Foursome." The left-handed Meier won the Country Youth Classic's 16-17 year-old division at The Den this summer.

Rounding out the U High lineup are senior Ryan Doubet and junior Sean Dozier, who both have shot several rounds in the mid to low 70s this season.

"We have the same confidence level as last year. We're trying to play as good as we can and set records," said English. "We have a solid four and if the other two come in the 70s that would be good rounds for them."

U High coach Tom Romance, who is retiring after the season, isn't worried about his team pushing too hard for a fourth straight title.

"Those top four boys put so much pressure on themselves in every match they play as anyone could," said Romance. "It matters not how anyone else on the team plays. They just have very high expectations of themselves. It can't get more severe. Half the time I have to tell them to ease off."

U High will be joined by three other Intercity golfers. Normal West missed advancing by six strokes, but the Wildcats will be well represented with three individuals - seniors Matt Kubsch and Nate Perry and junior Dave Shelton.

Pontiac sends two participants in seniors Ryan McCoy and Trevor Wiesner. This also is the final state tourney for Pontiac coach Mike McGuckin, who is retiring.

Three golfers who finished tied for third individually last year return - Champaign Centennial's Joe Smith, Edwardsville's Chris Brant and Quincy's Luke Guthrie.

Tournament info

WHEN: Today and Saturday (8:30 a.m. both days)

WHERE: Bloomington

SITE: The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course, 6,422 yards, par-72

TEAMS: University High, Barrington, Fremd, Glenbard West, Glenbrook North, Hinsdale Central, Lake Forest, Lockport, Marian Catholic, McHenry, Pekin, Quincy, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, St. Viator, New Trier.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Joe Barker, Marian Catholic; Blake Baltusevich, Sacred Heart-Griffin; Chris Brant, Edwardsville; Wilson Bowen, New Trier; William Cullen, U High; Kyle English, U High; Luke Guthrie, Quincy; Tim Harwood, Libertyville; Sean Jones, Fremd; Ed Kelly, Hinsdale Central; Allen Kohnen, Breese Mater Dei; Dusty Koth, U High; Ryan Mahoney, Pekin; Kyle Martin, Wheaton North; Alex Moen, Wheaton Warrenville South; Colin Mowrer, Pekin; Keenan Murphy, Crystal Lake Central; Adam Saben, Lockport; Jake Savel, Glenbard West; Johannes Seeman, Hersey; Joe Smith, Champaign Centennial; Charlie Sowers, Lake Forest; Matt Vitale, St. Viator; Jacob Wagner, New Trier; Andrew Wyatt, Lake Forest.

AREA COMPETITORS: University High - William Cullen, Ryan Doubet, Sean Dozier, Kyle English, Dusty Koth, Eric Meier; Normal West - Matt Kubsch, Nate Perry, David Shelton; Pontiac - Ryan McCoy, Trevor Wiesner