Scouting: Lake Co. girls bowling

Antioch

Coach: Jeff Childress

Host Lanes: Antioch Lanes

Top bowlers lost: Candice Schmidt (Wisc-Whitewater), Brittany Linhart, Stephanie Trusky, Marissa Foresta.

Top bowlers returning: Sr. Kimberly Childress, Jr. Alyssa Alvarez, Jr. Stephanie Pringle, So. Symnatha Rolph.

Newcomers: So. Katy Bain, Fr. Stevie Limdberg.

Outlook: Antioch has something special rolling its way this season. "We have high expectations," said Antioch coach Jeff Childress, who is taking over for Laura Bertermann, who moved to Grayslake North. "We've got a team that gained valuable experience." The Sequoits narrowly missed getting out of the sectional taking by taking third place last year. This year's group features girls who average from 165 to 195. Alvarez (190) is back; she was the top bowler in the NSC meet. Trusky (195) also returns and could be one of the top bowlers in the area. The Sequoits not only could win the NSC, they could make it through the sectionals and be knocking pins down in Rockford at the state meet.

Grant

Coach: Beth Miller (second year)

Home Lanes: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake

Top bowlers lost: Jami Crouch, Rachel Mitchell, Amy SaLee (Western Michigan), Kayleigh Wells.

Top returning bowlers: Jr. Brianna Brugioni, Jr. Lydia Wells.

Newcomers: Sr. Beth Bengston, Sr. Caitlin Loving, Sr. Dori Rivera, Sr. Serina Stow, Jr. Alexis Capps.

Outlook: The Bulldogs return one of strongest bowlers in the area in Brianna Brugioni (185). She's been one of their leaders on the varsity the last two years. Can the Bulldogs repeat the success of last year? Grant does have a couple of returning bowlers but needs to replace four outstanding ones lost to graduation. Still, the Bulldogs have a good shot to do it. "Our girls are eager to hit the lanes and defend their Prairie Division title," said Grant coach Beth Miller.

Grayslake Central

Coach: Steve Panella (first year)

Host Lanes: Kristof's: Round Lake

Top returning bowlers: Sr. Codi Holst, Sr. Becca Hernandez, Sr. Alexis Montes, Sr. Vickie Nicholson.

Newcomers: Sr. Renae Antonelli, Sr. Taylor Marlin, So. Miranda Merritt, So. Ella Mock, Fr. Twinkle Patel, Fr. Leah Rhodes, Sr. Alyssa Sanchez, So. Mary Stetz.

Outlook: There are changes going on for the Rams as Steve Panella takes over for longtime coach Bob Raukohl. For the last couple of years the team had been together with North; this year there are two different programs. "It's a transition year for girls bowling at Grayslake Central," Panella said. "My goal is to build the program, increase participation and awareness. Bowling is a growing sport. We have a lot of great athletes who are giving it their all." It might be a rebuilding year for the Rams but they should improve as the season rolls on.

Grayslake North

Coach: Laura Bertermann (first year)

Home Lanes: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake

Newcomers: Sr. Megan Fabry, Jr, Tina Freeman, Jr. Hannah Quigley, Jr. Jr. Lisa Seedoff, Jr. Darby Shaw, Jr. Kayla Velasquez, Jr.

Outlook: The Knights are starting a new team this year breaking away from Grayslake Central. In addition, there are enough teams in the Fox Valley Conference to make bowling a conference sport this year. Laura Bertermann comes over from Antioch ready to lead a new program with her 15 years of coaching exerience."Although this will be a building year for the team," she said, "the willingness of the girls to consistently learn and improve bodes well for a promising future."

Lake Zurich

Coach: Mel Fox (third year)

Home Lanes: Brunswick Zone Deer Park

Top bowler lost: Courtney O'Donovan (Illinois)

Top returning bowlers: Sr. Steph Hoff, Sr. Tina Mitropoulos, Sr. Chelbi Stromblad, Jr. Amie Fischer, Jr. Colleen O'Donovan, Jr. Sara Watkins, So. Jenna Downum, So. Nina Mitropoulos, So. Larissa Howard, So. Jessie Watkins.

Outlook: The Bears return with plenty of experience and could make a storng run at the North Surburban Confernce. "We should have a strong varsity team this year, as we have four returning varsity bowlers," Lake Zurich coach Mel Fox said. "Hoff, O'Donovan, Fischer, and Stromblad are all very strong competitors."

Lakes

Coach: Melissa Cross (fourth year)

Home Lanes: Antioch Bowl

Tope returning bowlers: Sr. Vanessa Villarreal, Jr. Devin Ksiosk, Jr. Courtney Adlam.

Newcomers: Fr. Lauren Cherpski

Outlook: The Eagles seem to improve each year, and they have some experienced players returning who can take the team to another level. Vanessa Villarreal (165) and Devin Ksiosk (170) will provide leadership for the younger bowlers. "This year, I'm pretty excitied to have almost my whole team returning," Lakes coach Melissa Cross said. They're are a good group of girls who are showing their potential. I also have a good group of younger girls who are ready to learn the ropes of bowling and are eager to try new things." The Eagles, if they can get the younger players to contribute, could reach the upper half of the North Suburban Conference.

Libertyville

Coach: Allison Wilkin (second year)

Host Lanes: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein

Top bowlers returning: Kate Kretschmar, Emily Kokum, Jackie Funk, Laura Polakowski, Katie Hankins, Dani Ruffolo.

Outlook: The Wildcats are building for the future. The program has increased with bigger numbers and expects to see better results this year. "With our returning bowlers we should have better results than last year," Wilkin said. "We should see our girls improve by 200 pins (series). We're just excited for the season and ready to compete." If all the work can lead to knocking down pins, the Wildcats could climb up the division by the end of the season.

Round Lake

Coach: Rebecca Hoffmann (first year)

Host Lanes: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake

Newcomers: Sr. Myra Edwards, Sr. Renee Gomez, Sr. Annliz Macharia, Jr. Samantha Hughes, Jr. Amanda Peterson, Jr. Erin Steele, So. Rosemarie Gonzales, Fr. Dena Husk

Outlook: Round Lake girls bowling has returned. The Panthers left the lanes in 1992 because of budget cuts. Its team was a good one back in 1991, finishing as conference and regional champions. The Panthers also finished ninth in the state tournament. Bowling is back with a former area bowler Rebecca Hoffmann coaching. She bowled 4 years at Stevenson, then in college at the University of Nebraska for a national championship team for a year and for another year at Michigan State. Hoffman also was an assistant at Grant and Stevenson. Round Lake will be building a program from the ground up. "Our goal is constant improvement," Hoffman said. "We want to set personal best scores each time we compete."

Stevenson

Coach: Matt Fierer (first year)

Host Lanes: EsKape Lanes, Buffalo Grove

Top bowlers lost: Amy Flor, Jenn Lasky, Gianna Nichols, Jen Martin

Top returning bowlers: Sr. Amy Koesters, Sr. Christine Wood, .Sr. Nicole Gault

Newcomers: So. Marissa Schwartz, So. Hannah Sylvan

Outlook: Stevenson had one of its best years last winter, reaching state and finishing 16th, but many of the bowlers graduated. Matt Fierer has taken over as interim coach due Gina Johnson recovers from injuries she sustained last summer. The Patriots have a several girls ready to move forward. "We've got a decent bunch of girls," Fierer said. "This is a group that's very cohesive and competitive. We lost three good bowlers, so it makes it more difficult than last year. We should get better as the season goes on."

Vernon Hills

Coach: Andra Hjelm (third year)

Host Lanes: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn

Top bowlers lost: Alyssa Dougherty, Wendy Inman, Danielle McGovern, Samantha Madsen and Bailey Muller.

Top returning bowler: Jr. Nicole Sanhamel

Newcomers: So. Randi Stone, Fr. Taylor Rigwood

Outlook: Vernon Hills had a great deal of success end the of last season, finishing 17th in state, but they lost a number of experienced bowlers to graduation. The Cougars will be considering this as a rebuilding year. "This year we had 10 freshman make the team," Vernon Hills coach Andra Hjelm said. "It's great because we graduated so many. As a team, we will work together improving our bowling. Already, I can see their desire, motivation and determination to be better. I look forward to seeing lots of growth, both as bowlers and as individuals."

Warren

Coach: Rick Novak (fifth year)

Home Lanes: Bertrand, Waukegan

Top bowlers lost: Dani Thul (Robert Morris)

Top returning bowlers: Sr. Samantha Willingmyre, Jr. Courtney Casillas, Jr. Emily Unewitz.

Newcomers: Sr. Allison Dombrowski, Sr. Serena Sessoms, Jr. Brianna Eustace,

Outlook: The Blue Devils, year in and year out, have a competitive group bowling. And once again, Warren should be in contention at the top of the NSC Lake Division. "I expect great things from these girls," Warren coach Rick Novak said. "I believe they work well with each other. We don't have a superstar as in the past, but I feel the mix will make us tough this year." Another helpful part of the Blue Devils' run will be hosting the sectionals in early February. "There's a lot of good competition in the conference and only time will tell," Novak said. "I'm just looking forward to another great year."

Wauconda

Coach: Mindy Lorence (second year)

Home lanes: 3D Bowl, Island Lake.

Top bowlers lost: Allie Payne (McKendree)

Top retruning bowlers: Sr. Amy Bundy, Sr. Ashley Franklin, So. Amanda Epp and So. Taylor Pride.

Newcomers: Fr. Shannon Franklin, Fr. Rebecca Ledenbach and Fr. Kristine Micheletti.

Outlook: The Bulldogs enter their second season and hope to improve on a successful first year. Allie Payne made history by finishing 23rd in state and set the table for future accomplishments; she has graduated. Ashley Franklin returns with a 180 average and perhaps state potential. "We have a young team that has had experience in bowling before their high school years," Wauconda coach Mindy Lorence sad. "A couple of the freshman have potential. I am looking forward to another great year. We are going to work hard and hopefully exceed last year's record."