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Boys bowling: Scouting Lake County

BOYS BOWLING

VERNON HILLS

Coach: Ron Long (15th year)

House: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn Lanes, Vernon Hills

Top bowlers graduated: Jimmy Cervantes, Bradley Fisher, Evan Harris, Jacob Hollis, Alec Munro, Andrew Solens, Chris Winter.

Top returning bowlers: Cooper Guillaume Jr. (185), Jake Olive Jr. (196), Brandon Cervantes So. (190), Raffelo Cianfaglione So. (189), Jacob Gates So. (198), Max Himel So. (185), Alex Kouvelas So. (194)

Newcomers: Logan Coty Jr. (182), Nick McNamara Jr. (183), Nicolas Schwind Fr. (180)

Outlook: Sophomore Jacob Gates rolled a perfect game 300 in a recent match against Central Suburban League rival Glenbrook North. There are a number of other Cougars hoping to make an impact. "We have an exciting group of bowlers this year," coach Ron Long said. "The squad is young but experienced from last year. I would expect very good things from this team with our team slogan this year., 'Circle the wagons. We are in for a fight.' "

GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL

Coach: Bryan Dovichi (third year)

House: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn Lanes, Vernon Hills

Top bowlers graduated: Logan Enerson, Ben Gurchak, Austin Kowalski.

Top returning bowlers: Zach Reese Sr. (164), Greg Silverman Sr. (190), Devin Coxon Jr. (185), Charlie Loeschorn Jr. (168), Mike Plecher So. (187)

Newcomers: Zach Vogel Jr.

Other notable bowlers: Griffin Hayes Sr., Tony Neuman Sr., Ethan Porembski Sr., John Garcia Jr., Zach Genc Jr., Tim Nguyen Jr., Fallou Thiam Jr., Gursimar Virdi So., Ricky Barragan Fr., Francisco Barroso Fr., Xader Helvie Fr., Cameron Porembski Fr., Ben Terronez Fr.

Outlook: Grayslake Central returns plenty of bowlers. "I expect the team to continue building a program," coach Bryan Dovichi said. "Each and every person can push each other to be better than they were the previous year. Our expectations are to see the bowlers to work as one cohesive group and bowl their best by the end of the season."

GRAYSLAKE NORTH

Coach: Greg Geiger (fourth year)

House: Fairhaven Lanes, Mundelein

Top bowlers graduated: Anthony Dorsey, Cole Pelegrino, Danny Yates

Top returning bowlers: Kyle Przbylski Sr. (175).

Newcomers: Justin Schroth Sr. (160), Ein Atwater Jr. (154), Jacob Bos Jr. (165), Brett Zeman (142).

Outlook: Grayslake North is rebuilding after losing some bowlers to graduation. "We have a pretty good foundation," coach Greg Geiger said. "We have a lot to do individually and as a group to get better. We have been pretty competitive the last few years and that was with one or two excellent bowlers. Now we have a chance to be good as a team."

GRANT

Coach: Tim Viscioni (second year)

House: Raymonds Bowl, Johnsburg

Top bowlers graduated: Noah Abernathy, Cory Dobson, Lucas Frola, Steven Palacios

Top returning bowlers: Jason Patel Sr. (185), Nick Bresen Jr. (173)

Newcomers: Dalton Atwater Jr. (173), William March Fr. (162)

Other notable bowlers: Rick Morphew Jr (150), Chase Martin So. (162), Tyler Sider So. (163), Tyler Zorn So. (170)

Outlook: Grant had its first individual state qualifier last year, as Noah Abernathy finished 19th and barely missed a medal. Abernathy graduated but a number of returning bowlers have to spark the Bulldogs this season. The Bulldogs opened at the Glenbrook North Eliminator and finished sixth out of 23 teams. "Last year with Noah going to state caused excitement in the program," coach Tim Viscioni said. "They know no roster is set and movement within the squad will occur, so the harder they work the better chance for movement. It's a young group and learning to find consistency."

LAKE ZURICH

Coach: Michael Sutton (third year)

House: Brunswick Deer Park

Top bowlers graduated: Connor Kottke (Central Missouri)

Top returning bowlers: Eric Reusch Sr. (190), Trevor Madura Jr. (209), Billy Schroeder Jr. (195)

Newcomers: Colin Davern Sr. (170), Jason Morrison So. (180)

Other notable bowlers: Brett Schnurr Jr. (190)

Outlook: The Bears return four starters. "This is the deepest roster since I've been here," coach Michael Sutton said. "The focus will be on the individual level of constant improvement. On a team level, we're working on getting over the disappointment of last season's sectional and are committed to the goal of getting back to O'Fallon for the IHSA state finals."

LIBERTYVILLE

Coach: Robert Sweno (fifth year)

House: Lakeside Recreational Center, Mundelein

Top bowlers graduated: Spencer Baumruk (Alabama), Nathan Campbell, Jason Giza, Jack Kosowski, Tyler Starr, Dante Vicini

Top returning bowlers: Cardell Dawson Jr. (146), Daniel Kaputa Sr. (182), Charlie Morris Sr. (185), Danny Chumra Jr. (167), Henry Koltermann Jr. (177), Jason Lenz Jr. (148), Bryce Pinsel Jr. (200), Nick Formento S0. (175), Devon Hamilton So. (186), Randy Moss So. (148), Jacob Miller So. (130), Matt Murbach So. (130), Alex Nelson So. (216).

Outlook: The Wildcats lost some key bowlers to graduation, but return others who are ready to step up. The Wildcats would like to build off last season's success. "Although the team graduated several key seniors, there are many who are eager to step up and fill their shoes," coach Robert Sweno said. "Many of the bowlers put in a lot of time in the off-season, bowling leagues and tournaments to help improve their games. The work has paid off thus far with many averages increasing by large amounts at the early part of the season. We look to gain experience through a few new tournaments this year that will allow us to compete with many of our regional and sectional competitors."

STEVENSON

Coach: Cody Mathias (third year)

House: Lakeside Recreation Center, Mundelein

Top bowlers graduated: Gabe Gordon, William Jacob, Jake Kozak, Josh Singer (Illinois State), Zach Singer (Purdue)

Top returning bowlers: Lucas Pinkus Sr. (215)

Newcomers: James Ruiz So. (140), Joey Gluck Fr. (160), Ryan Leman Fr. (145), Benjamin Ries Fr. (170), Nicolas Sternes Fr. (180)

Other notable bowlers: Marcus Engstrom Sr. (150), Mike Mastri Jr. (120), Kerry Mueller Jr. (160),

Outlook: Stevenson won its first state title in boys bowling in 2015. Last year, the Patriots missed out on a trip to state but reached the sectional with a talented group that has since graduated. Josh Singer (Illinois State) and Zach Singer (Purdue) were the knockdown leaders. This season, Lucas Pinkus takes over the leadership role. "We have a strong senior in Lucas Pinkus," coach Cody Mathias said. "It will be a season of unknowns. We have a lot of bowlers that haven't bowled competitively, but have shown massive amounts of talent. For it to be a successful season, there has to be growth in every bowler in both knowledge of the game and growth in average. Whether it be a couple of pins or 100 pins, it is progress."

WARREN

Coach: Jim Voutiritsas (second year)

House: Bertrand Lanes, Waukegan

Top bowlers graduated: Nathaniel Bratzke (Linwood), Andrew Lauer (Robert Morris)

Top returning bowlers: Patrick Faje Sr. (175), Daniel Lauer Jr. (165)

Newcomers: Gavin Yepsin Sr., Connor Bora Jr., Bradley Wilinski Jr., Ethan McDermott So., Ethan Kalin Fr. (216)

Outlook: Warren is one of the newer programs in the area. The Blue Devils have a couple of returning bowlers in Patrick Faje and Daniel Lauer. Freshman Ethan Kalin sports a 216 average. "We will have a mix of youngsters and veterans with limited varsity experience," coach Jim Voutiritsas said. "We just need to bring consistent effort on a daily basis. Our hope is to compete and get ready for the regionals."

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