Wrenn, Hersey find their form in Prospect Invitational

Hersey sophomore Emma Wrenn says she's "not too sure" if she likes the Baker format of Saturday's 26th annual Prospect New Year Invitational.

After bowling four standard games at Brunswick Zone in Mount Prospect, the competitors switch to the Baker in the afternoon, which is a team-oriented concept in which each of five bowlers on every team roll two frames apiece through five more games.

Either way, like it or not, Wrenn and her Huskies teammates excelled in each.

Wrenn finished with the top series of any Mid-Suburban League player, an 890, good for fifth place in a tourney that traditionally attracts the best teams in the state.

The sophomore rolled games of 247, 239, 245 and 200 in a meet that was won by Lockport Maroon with a total morning and afternoon pinfall of 6,157.

Waubonsie Valley finished second, just 10 pins back, while Hersey led MSL teams in an eighth-place finish with a total of 5,521.

"It was a good day for the Mid-Suburban League, " said Greg Troyer, coach of the host Knights. "We had five programs (Hersey, Buffalo Grove, Conant, Prospect and Hoffman Estates) in the top 14, and that's an incredible achievement when you look at the caliber of teams that were here."

The Bison (5,502) were minth, just behind the Huskies, while Conant placed 11th, Prospect 12th and the Hawks 14th.

"I'm so proud of my team today," said Wrenn. "It was a little more comfortable for me this year, being a sophomore, because I competed here last year and I knew what to expect."

"We were looking forward to the Prospect invite because we knew there would be a lot of good teams here, and this showing definitely gives us a lot of confidence."

Wrenn did admit that it was a little tough converting into the Baker format in the afternoon.

"It is a little slow," said Wrenn, "but I do like it in the fact that you're bowling as a team and all your teammates are there to pick each other up. Still the pace (of the Baker) is very different and it kind of feels weird."

Conant had an exemplary morning series, finishing sixth overall at the break led by junior Jordyn Wagner, who's 842 series included games of 234 and 214.

"It was an exciting day," said Cougars coach Jennifer Mikrut. "We were actually in second place after the second game and when you consider most of the top teams in the state were here, that's incredible."

Mikrut added that she appreciates all the hard work that Wagner has been putting in.

"Jordyn has been consistent all year," said Mikrut, "and today she had an excellent day. She was hitting her spares, and she's been bowling very well of late. She's been on fire in practice.

"The funny thing is, she's been frustrated lately because she hasn't felt that she's bowled up to her potential. This performance today should give her a big boost because she's one of the best bowlers in the MSL."

Wagner said that when she saw that the Cougars were placed in the top bracket of the tourney, it was a bit nerve-wracking.

"It was a little scary because we knew there were great teams in the bracket like Lockport and Minooka," said Wagner, "but we also knew that they put is in that bracket because they felt we could hold our own against them."

Wagner added that coach Mikrut didn't reveal to her players how well they had done in the morning round until later, hoping not to distract them.

"We didn't find out until we were getting the afternoon lane assignments," said the junior. "At that point she (coach Mikrut) told us how proud she was of us."

Jordyn Fera of Hoffman Estates rolled the invitational's high game, a 278, while Samantha Sztym of Lake Park was sixth with a 258.

Sarah Schwind of Schaumburg rolled an 866 that saw her place seventh individually, while Jessica Soskich of the Bison finished at 837, while Taylor Sloan of Libertyville rolled an 821.

Lake Park finished in 15th position, while Schaumburg was 21st in the 36-team field.

"All in all it was a very good day for area teams," said Troyer. "I feel that the teams were a little more competitive than usual and gave a very good showing."