Girls bowling: Scouting the Fox Valley
Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Jim Rood
2013-2014 finish: Fox Valley Conference champions
Top returning bowlers: Senior Mariclare Daniels (180 avg. last year), sophomore Marie Beyer (179 avg.)
Key newcomers: Senior Cheyenne Matthews, junior Kaitlin Columbia
Outlook: Jacobs returns the likes of Daniels and Beyer, but also is bolstered by the contributions of Matthews (170 at the Schaumburg invite) and Columbia (228 game earlier this year, 170 avg.). "We have four strong players and a group of others that can step in and fill the fifth spot. They all are working to improve," said Rood. "They all are working together to improve. Mariclare is focused and determined to have her best season yet. She has steadily improved over her three previous seasons. Marie was a strong addition to our team last year and she works at her game as hard as anyone. Cheyenne rolls a powerful strike shot and as she gets more experience she will roll some good numbers." Team chemistry, Rood said, will help this year's group. "The strength of our team is the friendships the girls have made during their high school years," he noted. "They are a fun and competitive team with a good mix of upperclassmen and lowerclassmen." Finishing frames is a key point of emphasis this season. "Our team needs to get better at making spares and filling frames with good counts," said Rood. "We will throw our share of strikes, but need to focus on finishing the frame when strikes are hard to come by." Another FVC title is on the team's wish list for this season. "We are looking to repeat as FVC champions," said Rood. "I think our chances to do that are very good. It will not be easy. Dundee-Crown has a young team led by Taylor Gonio that had some success last year finishing second in the conference. The Grayslake teams always are tough competitors as well. We are focused on having fun and repeating as FVC champions, as well as striving to make a run at a state appearance."
Dundee-Crown ChargersCoach: David Mensching
2013-2014 finish: 2nd place Fox Valley Conference; 12-1 duals; sectional champions
Top returning bowlers: Junior Angie Trip (all-FVC, 173 avg.), sophomore Taylor Gonio (all-conference, 173 avg.)
Key newcomers: Juniors Brittany Mueller, Haley Lucia, sophomore Ileana Fribley
Outlook: D-C is coming off an excellent year where it went 12-1, won a sectional, took second in conference and won two tournaments. Mensching likes the makeup of this year's team. "They are extremely good teammates and have a lot of fun while still taking the game seriously," he said. "We have a solid group of young bowlers with a lot of potential to grow. Their attitudes are great. They are hardworking and dedicated." Gonio and Tripp continue to improve their individual games. "Taylor has the potential to be one of the best bowlers in the conference," said Mensching. "She is only a sophomore and I would expect her to be a state qualifier this year or next. Angie has been consistent in her first two years on the team. She has made all-conference each of her first two years and I expect she will do the same the next two years." Mensching is looking for another competitive run in the FVC. "If we meet my expectations we will be a strong contender for the conference championship," he said.
Huntley Red RaidersCoach: James Kline
Top returning bowlers: Samantha Krogg, Megan Sass
Key newcomers: Sophomores Nicole Ciccione, Shaelyn O'Rilley
Outlook: Kline, in his first season at the helm, noted Krogg and Sass have been consistently rolling in the 200-plus range per game in practice. Ciccione and O'Rilley also will aid the team. "Samantha, Megan, Nicole and Shaelyn have been dedicated this offseason, practicing regularly and participating in competitive bowling," said Kline. "We have our top performers Samantha and Megan returning and looking to end their high school bowling careers on a high note and we have some emerging new talent with our freshmen and sophomores."
Elgin MaroonsCoach: Andy LaScala
Top returning bowlers: Senior Bre Tinder
Key newcomers: Senior Katie Collins
Outlook: Tinder was a Top 10 finisher in the Upstate Eight Conference last year, while Collins returns after a year away from the team. "We will be a middle-of-the-road team this year," said LaScala. "We have a nice core of newcomers this year and I am looking forward to a fun season." Elgin recently opened the season against West Aurora. "They are a team in the area to watch," said LaScala.
St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Allan Anastacio
Top bowlers: Giovanna Gutierrez (captain), Megan Cielak, Nicole Hotten, Katie Maloney, Emma Olson, Tiffany Keokanlaya, Heidi Kirchen, Kailey Wood
Outlook: St. Edward has a girls bowling team for the first time since the 2008-2009 school year. "We are a new team with eight freshmen and sophomores," Anastacio said. "All the girls are fairly new to bowling but are hard workers. We have made a goal to improve as much as possible and be competitive by regionals."
Streamwood SabresCoach: Connie Kott
Top returning bowlers: Jordan Ankebrant, Kelsey Strand
Key newcomers: Senior Nicole Kulevich, junior Taylor Clark
Outlook: Streamwood sports a roster of 16 this season. "Our numbers are up but at least 10 of the girls have not bowled before," said Kott. Ankebrant and Strand were sectional qualifiers last year. Kulevich and Clark are in their second year of bowling. "Overall, we have a good mix of new and experienced players but we are looking for two girls to step up to varsity positions," said Kott. "It looks to be a rebuilding year, but once the team is built it should be good for a couple years."