Boys bowling: Scouting Lake County
GRANT
Coach: Steven Smidl (first year)
House: Raymond's Bowl, Johnsburg
Top bowlers graduated: Hayden Norris
Returning bowlers: Sr. Mitchell Norris, Jr. Nathaniel Abernathy, So. Noah Abernathy
Newcomers: So. Steven Palacios, Fr. Bradly Kretzschmar, Fr. Jason Patel
Outlook: Steven Smidl takes over for Angela Balang, who started the program just a few years ago. A total of 19 bowlers are in the program, which is growing. "Our team can roll some great games," Smidl said. "We need to be consistent at every practice, every meet and every tournament. The team is continuing to make strides so they can compete against the best teams in the state. With more experience and competitive play, they will look to improve their team and individual performances. If we stick to our game plan and continue to improve, we will have a successful season and make a run at regionals."
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
Coach: Ted Soenksen (first year)
House: Brunswick Zone Vernon Hills
Newcomers: So. Austin Kowalski, Fr. Max Snowden
Returning bowlers: Sr. Alex Newman, Sr. Trent Miller, Sr. Bilal Qureshi, Sr. Daniel Solis, So. Logan Enerson, So. Benjamin Gurchak, So. Ryan Heavrin, Fr. Kahlo Familiar, Fr. Griffin Hayes, Fr. Zachary Reese, Fr. Gregory Silverman
Outlook: Grayslake Central enters as a first year program. The Rams will be have plenty of young bowlers that should improve as the season goes on. Coach Ted Soenksen has been helping out on the girls side the last five years. "Every day is a first," Soenksen said. "We are all very excited to experience what the season has to offer. The guys are learning so much and jelling as a team very well. It has been a great experience so far, and we hope to continue to learn and build our program this year while reaching a new high series each week."
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Coach: Greg Geiger (first year)
House: Fair Haven Bowl, Mundelein
Top bowlers: Jr. J.C. Lyon, Jr. J.D. Pelgrino, Sr. Kyle Baker, So. Josh Welsch, So. Danny Yates, Fr. Kyle Pryzbylski
Outlook: The Knights begin their first season. Coach Greg Geiger has spent the last four years assisting the girls program. The Knights have some leaders in J.C. Lyon and J.D. Pelgrino. "They have limited experience but have made great strides so far this year and should only get better," Geiger said. "We are really looking for a good foundation to the program. We have 30 boys who tried out and made the team this year. We are currently nonconference, which allows us to focus on the regionals. Our hope is to reach a point where we can be competitive at our tournaments, including the regionals,"
LAKE ZURICH
Coach: Peter Kupfer (ninth year)
House: Brunswick Deer Park
Top bowlers graduated: Bobby Dolatowski, Max Galarce, Johnny Kovanda,
Returning bowlers: Sr. Donny Gross, Sr. Ben Madura, Jr. Connor Kovanda
Newcomers: Jr. Tommy Keefe, Jr. P.J. Waul
Outlook: Lake Zurich was the regional champion last season but couldn't get past the sectional. The Bears return with a group of bowlers hungry for a return back to state this season. "The boys hope to repeat this year," coach Peter Kupfer said. "We want to make a strong push at sectionals. We have a good mix of returning starters and new varsity bowlers to give us depth and versatility on the lanes."
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Robert Sweno (second year)
House: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein
Top bowlers graduated: Jack Baumruk.
Returning bowlers: Sr. Duncan Hughes, Sr. Alex Price, Sr. Jim Smagacz, So. Spencer Baumruk, So. Nathan Campbell, So. Troy Sanchez, Sr. Jon Frea, Sr. Jonny Pietz, Sr. Dillon Ronne, Jr. Charlie Burrows, So. Anthony Campeau, So. Jason Giza, So. Jack Kosowski, So. Chris Kovatch, So. Parker Noll, So. Jeff Schneider, So. Sean Strohmeyer, So. Tyler Starr, So. Dante Vicini
Newcomers: Fr. Frank Anderson, Fr. Vincent Bitner, Fr. Alex Ferriera, Fr. Charlie Morris
Outlook: The Wildcats have a blend of veterans and young bowlers. "I'm looking to continue building on the growth we showed last season as a young team," coach Robert Sweno said. "We had a large freshman class that are now one year older and showing signs of true growth. Our main focus is to continue to improve and bowl our best at the regionals and qualify for sectionals as a team."
STEVENSON
Coach: Barry Lapping (ninth year)
House: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein
Top bowlers graduated: Zac Keith, Ethan Rosuck
Returning bowlers: Sr. Matt Poetker, Jr. Eddie Mendrala, So. Josh Singer, So. Zach Singer, So. Ricky Zenner, Sr. Michael Aranyi, Sr. Rafa Ridao, Jr. Ted Patas
Outlook: This could be the year the Patriots make it to state for the first time. "This is the strongest team that I've ever had," coach Barry Lapping said. "The boys bowl in leagues, tournaments and take lessons. They are seasoned bowlers and very good ones."
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Ron Long (12th year)
House: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn, Vernon Hills
Top bowlers graduated: Justin Becker, Eric Doerhoefer, Sean Ennis, Jeremy Gonzalez, Tommy Kalsch, Noah Melcer
Returning bowlers: Jr. Chris Winter, Jr. Alec Munro, Jr. Andrew Solens, Sr. Enrique Limon, Sr. Jake Rusch, Jr. Evan Harris, Jr. Jacob Hollis, Jr. Jacob Stern
Newcomers: Jr. Jaime Cervantes, So. Mac Vincent
Outlook: The Cougars have made it downstate nine straight years and don't plan on that run ending this winter. "We'll do what we've always done to get ready for the state run," coach Ron Long said. "We have a lot of inexperience, but we do have promise and talent. We don't look past this year. It's a good young group with a great attitude and should get better and better as the season goes on."