Trusky, Alvarez help lead Antioch to third at Prospect invite

Last year Antioch was just happy to qualify for the state girls bowling tournament.

This year the Sequoits have set their sights a bit higher - and it showed on Saturday at the 21st annual Prospect New Year Invitational.

Senior Kaitlyn Trusky rolled a 1,271 and senior Alyssa Alvarez hit a 1,210 in taking fourth and 15th place, leading Antioch to an impressive third-place finish with a total pin count of 5,845 at Brunswick Zone in Mount Prospect.

Minooka came on strong in the afternoon session to nip Harlem for the team title, 5,988 to 5,983 in the 36-team field.

Minooka sophomore Courtney Johnson (1,361) won the individual title.

Plainfield South (5,834) and Plainfield Central (5,753) rounded out the top five.

Resurrection's senior Alyssa Doyle rolled the invite's top game, hitting a 279.

Antioch qualified for state last season, but missed making Saturday's finals by 26 pins and finished 13th in state.

This year the Sequoits return all but one member from last year's team and are hoping that last year's state experience pays off.

"They're not just experienced, but they have a little bit of fire in their belly," said Antioch coach Jeff Childress. "Last year we qualified and that was our goal. This year we not only want to qualify, but we want to be fighting for a championship."

The Sequoits showed a bit of fight Saturday, coming back strong in the afternoon session to secure third place.

"We tried to be consistent today," Trusky said. "I think today boosted our confidence. It makes you even want to do better next time."

Junior Katy Bain paced Antioch in the morning session, and Alvarez came on strong in the afternoon.

"We're jelling," Alvarez said, "All of us have the potential to be the high rollers on any given day. We have depth, we just have to continue to pick each other up."

Tedra Tado (1,312) took third individually, leading Elk Grove (5,747) to sixth place.

The sophomore came on strong in the afternoon, scoring an impressive 700 in the final three games.

"This morning I was adjusting," said Tado, who started the afternoon session with a 246. "But I think I got used to it. The lanes stayed somewhat the same and I just kept hitting my mark."

Grens senior Sarah Bunta (1,172) tied for 27th place.

"Our afternoon session was much better than our morning," said Grens coach Kim Sander. ""Our girls were more focused, I'm hoping that they realize their potential. This gives us a lot of confidence."

Schaumburg, the defending champion, secured seventh place with 5,705.

Jodi Gawlik (1,238) took 10th, with senior Julie Thomas (1,212) and senior Kelly Judge (1,206) finishing 12th and 17th, respectively.

"I think we could have done better," Gawlik said. "I was just making some mistakes."

Schaumburg finished seventh in state last season, and the Saxons are hoping to find that mark again this season.

"The background that we have and our coaching we know what we can accomplish," Thomas said, "It's my senior year, so I definitely want to make the trip to state."

Nicole Sanhamel rolled a 1,251, leading Vernon Hills to 11th place. The senior hit 644 in the morning session but tore some skin on the left finger of her bowling hand, which affected her release in the afternoon.

"I was pretty consistent in the morning," said Sanhamel, who managed to open the afternoon session with a 242. "But in the afternoon I was in a lot of pain, and it kept getting worse."

Palatine senior Ashley Cramer rolled a 1,211 to tie for 13th place, including a high game of 234.

"I got more of a hook on the ball today," Cramer said. "I'm getting better at the right time."

Rolling Meadows senior Katia Smith (1,207) finished in 16th place.

"I know how to bowl, I know the technique," said Smith, "Now I'm looking at putting everything together and staying positive."

Hoffman Estates, which has qualified for state meet for five consecutive seasons, hit a 957 in their last game en route to 10th place with 5,445 pints.

"That gives us some confidence," said Hawks coach Dan Pfligler. "They came back in the last game, and that's been our downfall."

Senior Stephanie Vura (1,196) and senior Brianna Carroo (1,193) finished 19th and tied for 20th, respectively, to pace Conant.

Freshman Charley Barbary (1,167) led Waubonsie Valley, tying Fenton junior Nadine Blecke for 31st place.