Big scores downstate for boys bowling tourney hopefuls
Zach Johnson of Lake Zurich got on a roll in Friday's boys bowling state meet preliminaries, helping lead the Bears to the second-best team score in state tournament history, 1,232, in the third game of the day in downstate O'Fallon, Ill.
Johnson started his opening frame with an eight, then picked up the spare. He followed up with 11 straight strikes and threw a high school-best 290. PJ Waul tossed a 259, Ben Madura a 255, Nick Lopinski 224 and Danny Gross 204 for Lake Zurich.
"It was really exciting and got the rest of the team going," Johnson said. "I was just taking it one shot at a time. The nerves never kicked in, because I wasn't looking at the scoreboard."
Lake Zurich found itself leading the tournament after the first three games after following up with 1,084 and a 1,062 for a 3,378. But the Bears threw 2,935 over the other three games, slipping to fifth place with a respectable 6,313 total.
"We had moments when all five kids were bowling and getting the ball nicely down the lanes," Lake Zurich coach Peter Kupfer said. "We have been chasing the same teams that we've seen all year."
Harlem leads the way after 6 games with a total of 6,488, Hononegah was second (6,422). Stevenson, making its first state trip, was third with 6,354, and St. Charles East made the second day in eighth place (6,213).
Madura led the Bears with 1,307. Johnson had a 1,296 followed by Gross (1,279), Waul (1,209), Connor Kovanda (620, 3 games) and Lopinski (602, 3 games).
Stevenson posted 5 of its 6 games over 1,000 and had its best game of 1,143. The Patriots shot 3,232 and 3,122.
"Being in third place, we're in a perfect position to win this thing," said Stevenson coach Barry Lapping. "The guys aren't intimidated by anybody. We've been bowling good, but we haven't put anything together as of yet. There's a reason why we've bowled the top teams in the state all season."
Richy Zenner leads the Patriots with a 1,385 and was is currently in seventh place behind tournament leader Jacob Nimtz of Harlem (1,489). Zenner started the day strong with games of 257, 237, 235 for a 729 series. Then he rolled a 656 for the afternoon.
"I got warmed up with a good start," Zenner said. "I stayed with the adjustments and hit my mark. The team helped me out, and we were feeding off each other."
The other Patriots' bowlers included Josh Singer (1,279), Matt Poetker (1,261), Michael Aranyi (880, 4 games), Zac Singer (820, 4 games), Eddie Mendrala (370, 2 games), Rafael Ridao (192, 1 game) and Ted Tapas (167, 1 game).
St. Charles East, in its first trip to state, is making a good showing. The Saints had 4 of their 6 games over 1,000. The Saints' best game was a 1,079.
"I thought we bowled pretty good all-around," said St. Charles coach Steve Dessauer, whose team was in the sixth spot at one point. "Our main goal was to make the second day. Now, we're making another goal - to be in the top three. We just need one more good day, and anything can happen."
Domenick Strauss led the way for St. Charles East with a 1,357, followed by Dean Mudlong (1,288), Aaron Mudlong (1,281), Andrew Culbertson (978, 5 games), Robert Olsen (760, 4 games) and Cole Cartee (549, 3 games).
Brandon Biondo of Jacobs (1,346) made the second day as an individual. He posted a high game of 279.