Holiday over, Wheeling’s Hok gets back to work

Heather Hok didn’t have much time to think about bowling over the Thanksgiving Holiday break.

Between helping plan her family’s Turkey Day celebration, working at her part-time job as a manager at McDonald’s and Black Friday shopping, practice was simply out of the question for the Wheeling senior.

The mini-layoff, though, didn’t seem affect her at all at Monday’s Mid-Suburban League meet at Arlington Lanes — especially in the 10th frame of the last game.

First Hok nailed a difficult 4-7-8 split to the delight of the Wildcats fans, then closed it out with a strike as her team swept all three games in a win over Hersey.

Two 531 series — by Maryssa Peterson (including a 213 game) and Caily Markiewicz — helped Wheeling achieve the win.

“We’ve got such a positive attitude this year,” said Hok, a two-year starter. “Not a lot of drama. We’re motivated and we’re out there laughing and having a great time.

“If we can keep bowling 800 games like we did tonight (the Wildcats had two of three), we’ve got a great chance to keep improving.”

In other action, Samantha Victor’s 211 game helped lead a Prospect sweep over Barrington. The Knights were busy over the weekend participating in the Rock Island tournament and the senior says getting that tourney experience early in the season will help her team later in the year.

“I’m confident that we have the ability to be number one in conference this year,” said Victor, “and I’ve got a good feeling about sectionals and state.”

Schaumburg had the top overall series Monday (2756 pins knocked down) and the top individual game (252 from Rocky Wood) in a victory over Conant; Fremd, led by Kayleigh Burnitz (200 game) defeated Rollling Meadows; while Hoffman Estates (Melyssa Donovan, 565 series) beat Palatine.

Other scores of note on the evening included a 227 game by Katie Conrad of Palatine; a 656 series by Sami Hansel of Schaumburg; a 235 game and 584 series mark by Angela Anzalone of Conant; 237 in game one by Prospect’s Katelynn Bieber; and a 548 three-game score by Hersey’s Marie Spychala.

In the final match of the night Elk Grove, led by Jamie Hicks (548) won over Buffalo Grove 9-0.

“We’re having a lot of fun,” said Grens junior Brooke Barges, who had last week’s high meet game of 248.

Elk Grove is perfect on the season, and Barges says she’s trying to take on more of a leadership role for her youthful team.

“I talk to the younger girls,” said the junior, “and get them pumped up.”