Girls bowling: Skweres' skills show for Conant in win over Wheeling
Conant bowler Jemma Skweres is just a freshman, but she's already making her mark on Mid-Suburban League bowling.
Skweres, the only frosh on the Cougars varsity, rolled a 212 game and a 596 series Wednesday night at Arlington Lanes to lead her team to a 9-0 victory over Wheeling.
Conant outpinned the Wildcats 2,559 to 2,256.
"She's so impressive," said Cougars coach Jennifer Mikrut. "Just last week Jemma earned a medal (at the Prospect Invite) by finishing 20th, and that was in a field of over 300 bowlers.
"She did great tonight," added Mikrut. "She's got such a positive attitude."
The freshman, who took up the sport when she was just 3 years old, said that she came out a couple of times last season as a spectator to watch the Cougars varsity compete.
Now she's part of the team and couldn't be happier.
"We've all got a peppy attitude," said Skweres of her squad. "I feel like we can achieve anything as long as we believe."
Lyz White pitched in to the Conant win with a 541 series and top game of 200, while Karsyn Burgess paced Wheeling with a 211 game (543 series.)
The stellar season for Schaumburg's Kylie Frick continued in earnest Wednesday.
Frick came in to play at Arlington leading the MSL with a 206.44 average, and she fired a 202 game as the Saxons defeated Buffalo Grove.
Gina Lenoci had the top series for Schaumburg in the win, a 580, while BG was able to grab a couple of points away from the Saxons behind the performances of Riley Donahue (233 game) and Rebecca Howard (222).
Hoffman Estates kept its hold on first place in the conference with a 9-0 win over Palatine.
The Hawks are having another outstanding season this year, entering the night with 4 bowlers in the top 11 in MSL average, led by the 200.94 of Alexis Orwat.
Against the Pirates on Wednesday, Orwat led the way with a 244 in Game 2 en route to a 610 series.
Allura Magsino added a 590 series for the Hawks, while Evelyn Torres earned Palatine's top game, a 167.
Fremd stayed tied for third place in the league, just behind second-place Schaumburg, as Isaly Schaffner was outstanding in the third game against Elk Grove, carding a 256.
"I feel like we blend well together as a team this year, and that's important," said Schaffner of the Vikings' success, which included a win over the Grenadiers Wednesday. "They key for us is to not let each other get down, pick each other up, relax, and just go out and get as many pins as possible."
Fremd junior Samar Samadi chalked up the team's improvement this year to hard work in practice and a "strong team spirit."
Piper Miles added a 219 game to the Viking victory, while Grens bowler Jamie Knutsen excelled with the second-best series of the MSL season.
Knutsen fired games of 258, 237 and 212 for a 707 series.
Hersey won 7-2 over Rolling Meadows as Maddie Ritter rolled games of 218 and 192.
Susan Schmidt had the best series for the Huskies, a 532, teammate Sarah Lippstreuer had a 209 game. Brooke Edwards led the way for the Mustangs with a 209 game 1.
In the final match of the night, Barrington won in straight games over Propsect, posting a 2,513 pinfall.
Jenica Baron posted a consistent line of 189-200-192-581 for the Fillies, who are tied with Fremd for third place overall.
"We've been working hard on our spare shooting," said Baron.
Alyssa Loomis contributed to the Fillies' win with a 546 series, while Allison Buck posted a 518 series for the Knights.
Baron said coming back from the long winter break was difficult for all of the competitors.
"We tried to make the most of the practices we were able to squeeze in (before the MSL season re-commenced Wednesday)," said Baron, "and just focus on the basics.
"We've got a great team dynamic this year. Our team is a lot closer and that's really helped us."