Wrenn's actions speak loudest

So quiet at times that she's barely noticeable during a meet, Prospect High School junior Hannah Wrenn lets her bowling do the talking.

And it has been coming through loud and clear.

A three-year varsity starter, Wrenn finished 11th in the Mid-Suburban League last year with a 194.92 average. That's an impressive mark, but in the powerful MSL a 200 average is what places you in elite company.

Wrenn reached that 200 level this season, finishing third with a solid 215.75 average.

The only bowlers to place higher than Wrenn were three-time league champion Natalie Cortese and last year's champ Amanda Cortese, both from Hoffman Estates.

"Actually, Amanda and Natalie have bowled with each other and don't like to give their secrets away," Wrenn said. "But they've always been there for me."

What's happened to Wrenn this year that has lifted her average nearly 14 points?

"I don't think anything's gotten into her," said Prospect coach Greg Troyer. "A lot of it is she's grown up. She's a very good athlete. She's very strong."

There are many things Wrenn is doing this season that has put her up among the elite in the state.

"I've had a lot of practice," she said. "I have a new hand release and position of my hand. It's a more consistent one."

"Her comfort level is better," Troyer said. "She's consistent. She doesn't let little things bother her. She's hard on herself, so I don't have to be."

Wrenn has had a lot of help in order to get where she is.

"My dad taught me everything I know," Wrenn said. "Jeff Daggett (who co-owns the pro shop at the Brunswick Zone in Mt. Prospect along with Rolling Meadows coach Karen Ellingsworth) has always been big in my bowling.

"Bill Spigner, who owns VH1, bowls with me during the summer. Mitch Sachs actually got me to do a real simple hand release. I owe a lot to Mitch.

"I always ask for help," she said. "I'll ask them do you see something wrong? I've grown up with these coaches. I've known Mitch and Bill since I was 7 years old. Jeff Daggett, I've known him since I was born."

Was finishing with a 200 average in the MSL one of Wrenn's goals?

"I definitely knew I wanted to have a drastic improvement," she said. "I also wanted our team to be more close-knit."

"This year, it's been much more of a team," Troyer said. "Last year we had a decent team. The kids liked each other, but we just didn't have the chemistry."

Bowling sectional meet preview

When: Saturday, 8:30 a.m.

Where: Hoffman Lanes, Hoffman Estates

Individuals to watch: With all 11 Mid-Suburban League teams competing at Hoffman Lanes. alll eyes should still be on the Cortese sisters, Natalie and Amanda, from Hoffman Estates. Together they have won the last four MSL championships, with Natalie winning three of those and Amanda the other. As the season gets closer to the finish, the Corteses only get better. The Hawks don't rely solely on Natalie and Amanda, who has bowled a 300 game this season along with Palatine's Amy Modic, but Hoffman Estates would hate to see where they would be without them. That will occur next season when both sisters are off to college.

Teams to watch: With all 11 MSL teams at Hoffman Lanes, the meet should be between the friendly foes Hoffman Estates, the four-time MSL champion, and Schaumburg, which has shown its strength consistently this season. However, surprises do pop up in big meets and teams like Prospect and Conant have a chance of finishing in the top two, which would automatically qualify them to state.

What they're saying: "It's the same thing (as conference)," said Hoffman Estates coach Dan Pfligler. "We've got to come prepared. Schaumburg, Prospect, Conant, you can't take them for granted. We're going to have to bowl as well as we did tody. All my girls bowled well."

"We're all going to do this over again," said Schaumburg coach Mark Kelly, whose team finished second to Hoffman by 5 points at the MSL meet.

"We're looking at the same thing," Hoffman's Natalie Cortese said. "Victory."

-- Kathy Rudolph