Bowlers glad to join St. Charles' cross-town classic
The annual cross-town classic headed to a new venue Thursday afternoon, as St. Charles East and St. Charles North attempted to add to their season-long point totals in head-to-head athletic matchups.
This time, however, there really wasn't any homefield advantage involved because the action was held at an off-campus site - the St. Charles Bowl.
For the first time, the girls and boys bowling teams from the two St. Charles schools squared off with the final result being a split decision - no pun intended.
On the girls' side, the Saints swept 3 games on the way to a 259-pin victory (2,472-2,213) over the North Stars.
Meanwhile, St. Charles North's boys team returned the favor with an impressive 3-game sweep (2,985-2,666) of the Saints.
"It's always exciting when you play East - it's a big rivalry," said North Stars boys coach Lori Downie. "We had very high expectations coming out here today. I'm proud of the boys and I'm proud of the program."
The fact that bowling has been added this year to the athletic programs at both St. Charles schools is a victory in itself for all participants.
"A couple years ago, we sent a survey out to every student in our building asking, 'what sport/sports would you like to be added?' said St. Charles East athletic director Jerry Krieg. "Of course, they came up with all kinds of things - even rodeo.
"Bowling was brought up. We thought about it and a proposal was made about what it would cost. We talked to the (school) district about getting a coaches' stipend and they agreed to that. Plus, we're a part of the Upstate Eight Conference and we were one of the few teams that didn't play (bowling). So we decided to try it and here we are."
According to Krieg, the addition of bowling is a natural fit for the Cross-town Classic.
"When we first started the Cross-town Classic, the idea was to get as many kids interested and participating," Krieg said. "We wanted badminton to feel as important as football, so the point tonight costs as much as the football point, as much as the basketball point."
Downie, who welcomed more than 30 boys to last month's tryouts, felt her team would be competitive coming into the season.
"When this program was announced to be starting last year, they (kids) were so excited because a lot of them don't participate in other sports," said Downie.
As for the bowling, these kids can roll 'em - no bumpers needed. St. Charles North's Brett Golabek finished with a match-high 699 series (average of 233) which included a high game of 238.
"Brett is one of my strongest bowlers," said Downie. "He's my finisher. I put him at the bottom of the lineup all the time and I can always count on him."
Jake Zitko added a 601 total (200-pin average) for the North Stars, who also received a pair of 200-plus games from Tyler Harju (203, 207). "All of the varsity bowlers have above a 180-average," said Downie.
Jake Stout led the Saints with a 563 series (182.6 average), followed by C.J. Logue with a 562 series.
"Bowling seems to be strong at both high schools," said Saints boys coach Steve Dessauer. "We've got a lot of parents' support and a lot of kids involved.
"I think they're having fun despite the look on their faces today."
"It gives kids a chance to bowl for a team that haven't been in a league before," said North Stars sophomore Russ Hodges, who has been a league bowler for 7 years.
Katherine Sulaitis (546) and Allison Heuer (508) paced the Saints' girls, while St. Charles North junior Juliaclare Plezbert led all bowlers with a 576 series (high game of 209).
"We're having so much fun," said Saints senior Casey Driessen, who added a 466. "Everybody is helping each other out - boys and girls."
Incidentally, girls bowling is not new to St. Charles as St. Charles High School featured a girls' team from 1976-81, winning 3 district titles. "It's a friendly competition," said Saints girls coach Mary Ann Carrell. "It's not a cutthroat competition, it's not a mean-spirited competition.
"It's just a lot of fun."