Hoffman Estates in good spot for MSL title repeat
The Hoffman Estates girls bowling team finds itself in a familiar position as the Mid-Suburban League reaches the latter stages of the regular conference season.
In first place.
The Hawks have dropped only 5 points all season while winning 76 and they continued on a roll on Thursday night at Arlington Lanes.
Led by a 606 series (233 game) from Emilie St. Clair, and games of 218 by Alexis Orwat and 215 from Allura Magsino, Hoffman defeated Rolling Meadows 9-0.
The Hawks are looking to repeat as conference champions.
"It's the chemistry," said St. Clair, a junior, when asked the reason for Hoffman's perennial success. "We're a family more than just a team. We're really good at picking each other up."
The Hawks came into play Thursday with three bowlers in the top five of MSL individual average - Orwat, St. Clair and Kelly Paradowski.
Magsino is tenth overall while teammate Darcy Lange is also in the top 20.
"We know each other's weaknesses and strengths," said Magsino, a senior, of the Hawks' team bond. "We see each other at school and we try to hang out together. It's just the connection we have (that leads to the success)."
Magsino said all the hard work the Hawks put in on the practice lanes also plays a big part.
"We do a lot of spare shooting (in practice)," added Magsino, "seven and tens, and that pays off in the long run."
Wheeling scored a 9-0 win over Palatine, paced by senior Karsyn Burgess, who rolled a 530 series.
Burgess has been a solid contributor for the Wildcats since day one, and many will remember her 300 game as a freshman in just her fourth varsity match.
"I feel like I've improved this year," Burgess said. "I've matured in the sport and I take it more seriously."
Burgess credited some coaching she received over the summer that resulted in an upgrade in her game.
"I changed the way I released the ball, and basically changed my whole lineup," the senior said.
Wildcats coach Beth Anderson said it was obvious that even as a frosh, Burgess was destined to make a big impact on the program.
"We knew right away at freshman orientation that she was going to bowl for us on varsity," Anderson said.
"Karsyn has matured into a wonderful leader," Anderson added. "She's great at helping the other kids out, and technically, her bowling has gotten much better. That's a tribute to all of the hard work she's put in."
Prospect defeated Elk Grove behind a 575 series from Alison Buck (225 top game).
Buffalo Grove scored a win over Fremd as Rebecca Howard shot a 593 (236 game).
Schaumburg stayed in second place in the league by defeating Barrington.
The Saxons posted a plus 3,000 team series (3,044) as Gina Lenoci led the way with two games of 242.
In the final match of night, Conant edged Hersey 5-4, buoyed by a stellar score of 947 in Game 1. Jemma Skweres rolled a game one score of 255 while Lyz White added a 201.
"We were going crazy," White said of the Cougars' hot start. "We all had it going and we stuck together as a team."
Other scores of note Thursday included three games over 200 from Schaumburg's Kylie Frick (230, 206, 206) and a 227 game from teammate Evelina Kozyra.
Piper Miles of Fremd fired a 589 series while Elena Falkiner shot 541 to give a big assist to the Wheeling victory.
For conference-leading Hoffman, Paradowski pitched in with a 204 game.
Magsino said that the Hawks' goal now is not only to win conference but advance through regionals and sectionals and make it back to the state tournament in Rockford.
"It would mean a lot to make it to state all four years," Magsino said. "For all of the effort I put into this bowling program, to get myself back to the top would be really cool."
"It's absolutely insane there (at the state meet at the Cherry Bowl)," added St. Clair, who is also hoping for a return to Rockford. "It's loud, it's crazy and it's such an amazing experience just to be in the house with 24 teams that are the best in state."