Grant's Abernathy rolls into Day 2 downstate

In his first trip to the boys bowling state tournament, Noah Abernathy of Grant took his best shot against the best competition in Illinois as the first representative from his school to compete at that level.

And Abernathy rolled well enough on opening day at St. Clair Bowl Lanes in downstate O'Fallon on Friday to earn himself a second day of competition.

The senior posted a 1,280 for six games, with a 655 in the morning set and a 625 in the afternoon. He had high games of 256 and 239.

"I'm just really excited," Abernathy said. "The conditions were really tough, I had to focus and execute on my shots. I knew that I could do it, and I had to prove it. I just want to try to get a medal. I know the adjustments that I have to make."

Stevenson's Lucas Pinkus missed his chance bowling a second day by 1 pin. He shot 1,236 over the six games with a high game of 237.

Nate Stubler of LaSalle-Peru was the tournament leader. He rolled a scorching 1,642, a 273 average. He threw a pair of 300 games in game three and four and followed up with a 278. He had an 837 for the first three games and an 807 over the final three.

Machesney Park Harlem leads the way in the team competition after the first day with 6,555, followed by O'Fallon (6.512) and (Rockton) Hononegah (6,285).