Konrad's presence boosts Rolling Meadows; Hoffman Estates maintains momentum
Rolling Meadows bowler Robyn Konrad spent the first three years of her prep career in Burlington, Wis., where she helped lead her local high school team to a state championship two seasons ago.
Now she's back home in Illinois - and the Mustangs couldn't be happier.
Konrad, a senior who's having a stellar season, came into play Wednesday night fourth in the Mid-Suburban League individually with a 197.93 average. She grew up in the area, and for family reasons she's returned to spent her final year before graduation at Meadows.
Wednesday night at the Mid-Suburban League meet at Arlington Lanes Konrad continued her success, rolling a 233 game and 597 series as the Mustangs defeated Barrington.
"She's the best teammate anyone could ask for," said Rolling Meadows coach Karen Ellingsworth of Konrad's return. "She just stepped right in and took control."
Konrad, who plans to attend Valparaiso next year to bowl and major in psychology, said she was easily able to make the transition from Burlington to Meadows due to the help she received from her new teammates.
"Once we got to know each other, everything just clicked," said the senior.
• Hoffman Estates followed up Monday's big win over first-place Schaumburg with another victory Wednesday, this time over Prospect, to stay just 1 point behind the Saxons heading into Saturday's MSL tourney.
Amanda Richae led the Hawks with a 214 game and 611 series, while freshman Alexis Orwat bowled a 207 game and senior Jordyn Fera added a 204.
"Our coach (Dan Pfligler) said that win over Schaumburg sure makes Saturday more interesting," said Fera. "We don't want to be overconfident, though. We took down a great team in Schaumburg, but they might have just been having an off day. We can't get cocky."
The clutch victory over the Saxons was all the more impressive due to difficult lane conditions for the two teams.
"One lane had a nice back end, while the other had absolutely nothing," said Fera. "It was tough."
Arie Upshaw led Prospect with a 579 series (222 game), and Knights sophomore Allison Buck said the loss to the Hawks couldn't diminish the great season her team is having.
"We're proud of what we've accomplished this year," said Buck. "It's was easier for me to move up this year from JV (where the soph finished sixth in the league in total average) because my coach did the same thing."
This year's first-year Prospect coach, Ashley Ruszczak, was the Knights' JV coach for the 14/15 season.
"We kind of support each other," said Buck, "and all of my friends are on varsity so that makes a huge difference for me. I've learned a lot this year - I know that if I make a bad shot or have a bad game, my teammates will be there to pick me up. I've also learned that even a bad start can lead to a good game if you don't get down on yourself."
Buck bowled leadoff Wednesday, but said that she prefers to be next in line.
"Leadoff bowlers have a lot of pressure to get off to a good start and rally the team," said Buck. "I prefer to follow that lead."
• Schaumburg defeated Elk Grove at Arlington 2,749 pins to 2,238 as Sarah Schwind led the way with a 242 game. Hersey defeated Palatine behind Emma Wrenn (223 and 203 games), Zoe Sarbekian (224), Ashley Hoffman (211) and Monsie Plata (207, 204), while Conant (245 from Victoria Domanski) was victorious over Fremd.
• Buffalo Grove scored a big win over Wheeling to stay in fourth place in the conference heading into Saturday's tournament. The Bison trail the third-place Huskies by only 2 points and are only 14 points back of first-place Schaumburg.
Joanne Savage led the charge for BG with a 610 series (games of 212 and 204).
"We're confident," said Savage. "I think we're a much better team this year than we've been in years past. We're picking up our spares."