Girls bowling: Buffalo Grove's Soskich repeats despite runner-up Richae's rally
Buffalo Grove senior Jessica Soskich showed the heart of a champion Saturday at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford.
Especially when it mattered most.
Soskich, the defending individual state champ, held off a field of rivals on the final game of the day in the state finals to win the crown again.
At least six competitors were within striking distance and had a chance to overtake the senior, who held a slight lead going into the finale.
But she held them all at bay to become only the second repeat champ in high school girls bowling state history.
“I was ready for this — I was waiting all week,” said Soskich of her approach to the finals weekend. “I was so excited. This was something I wanted so badly — I knew it had happened (a repeat champion) only one other time, and I knew exactly what I had to do.”
When asked about the mental toughness that it took for Soskich to hold off a multitude of challengers, BG coach Jean Tripam's answer brought back memories of another recent champ from a certain North Side professional sports team.
“It was like the bottom of the ninth, you're down by 2 runs, the bases are loaded and you're up to bat,” said Tripam. “We can all be up here and be cheerleaders, but only Jessica could be out there. She knew we she had to do — come out and bowl to the best of her ability — and she went out and did it. I couldn't be prouder of her right now.”
It turned out to be a 1-2 sweep for the Mid-Suburban League, as Soskich's two-day total of 2,669 was just 17 pins better than Amanda Richae from Hoffman Estates.
Richae's stellar performance, one that included a 693 series in the afternoon Saturday, led the Hawks to a fifth-place team finish.
Machesney Park Harlem won the team title.
“I'm so happy that I was able to finish my high school career here,” said Richae, “with my teammates and all of the fans that came out to support me.
“I just wanted to finish strong and take it one step at a time, like I've done all season.”
It was a terrific finish at Cherry Bowl for two more MSL seniors, both of whom were conference champions in their career.
Sarah Tenyer (one MSL championship) of Barrington shot a 268 game Saturday and finished 22nd overall, while Hersey's Emma Wrenn (two MSL titles, including this year) had games of 214 and 210 to earn 27th place.
“Sarah is a complete team player,” said Fillies coach Sam Raia. “She's very skilled and we've been lucky to have her in the program. She's a kid who handles everything with the utmost grace.”
“I've got so many emotions going through me right now,” said Wrenn. “I came out here to do my best and I guess you can say I'm proud of what I accomplished.”
Prospect senior Arie Upshaw closed out her prep career Saturday in style by rolling games of 234 and 212, while Kylie Frick of Schaumburg, a sophomore, finished 19th individually by firing a 2-game total of 2,490.
Alexis Orwat (2,312 over the 2 days), Allura Magsino (239 game), Kelly Paradowski (222), and Darcy Lange (210) all contributed to Hoffman's success.
“I'm so excited I was crying,” said Hawks soph Colleen Golliher, who contributed with a 172 game. “I just had to keep throwing strikes, and now that it's over this is just amazing.”
Soskich, who overcame injury last season to win the championship, faced another uphill battle this year as she dealt with the stress of trying to win back-to back crowns — which had only been done once before, in the 1998-99 tournaments by Liz Berg of Rockford East.
She held a slight lead in the tourney, 12 pins, after Friday was in the books, but began slowly Saturday with a 164 game.
“I had a rough start,” said Soskich. “I knew I had to put all that behind me.”
The senior followed that up with games of 265 and 223, and at the break Soskich, who was trying not to follow the scores and placements, asked coach Tripam to inform her of what position she was in.
“I said to her, ‘Are you sure you want to know?' ” said Tripam. “She said she did, so I let her know (that she was in first place). At that point it was all about her.”
“Knowing that made me realize what I had to do,” said Soskich.
And the senior came out strong in the final 3 games of the meet, rolling a 231, followed up by a 192 and 195.
She was able hold off a final push from Richae, who recorded a 235 in her sixth game, and when the final results were announced, Soskich broke down in tears.
“I'm speechless,” said the two-time champ. “This was my goal, and I have no words for what just happened.
“I knew I had to stay mentally strong because anything can happen. I had to have nerves of steel. Even when I had that open (in the sixth game), I had to shake it off. I couldn't let it get to me.”