Vernon Hills, Lake Zurich heading downstate as freshmen star
Experienced bowlers are usually the ones leading the way.
But Saturday, a couple of freshmen - Eric Swanson from Vernon Hills and Lake Zurich's Mike Schmitt - grew up in a hurry.
Both bowlers led their teams to a trip downstate to St. Clair Bowl in O'Fallon this Friday and Saturday to compete in the IHSA state boys bowling tournament.
Vernon Hills knocked down 5,948 pins to capture its own sectional championship at Brunswick Zone Hawthorn Lanes.
Lake Zurich finshed 37 pins back with 5,921 to take the runner-up spot.
Swanson rolled a 1,274 series (212 average) for six games, good for fourth place individually behind Notre Dame's Justin Sanetra (1.340) and Tony Olbeira (1,302) and Evanston's Michael Thomas (1,290).
Swanson tossed a 612 through the first three games and followed with games of 244, 245 and 173 for a 662 series.
"I was a little nervous at first," said Swanson, who was promoted to the Cougars' varsity midway through the season. "I've bowled well since I've come up. But this has to be my best day so far."
Other Cougars who contributed included Alex Wong (1,198), Nick Garpow, Steven Linda (1,166) and Eric Hencier (1,154).
The Cougars led early after the first two games of 990 and 1,010. Lake Zurich grabbed a 42-pin advantage at the three-game break after rolling the best team game of the sectional, 1,090.
The Cougars regained the lead and took the sectional title by rolling games of 950, 1021 and 998.
"It's an inexperienced team in a way, but with the way we molded these guys it's a different type of team," said coach Ron Long, whose Cougars will be making their third straight trip to state after winning the Northern Illinois boys bowling conference and breaking three school records.
"Some of the kids moved right in the roles they needed to in learning, working hard and establishing themselves."
The Bears struggled after Game 4 (868). Coach Peter Kupfer made a switch, bringing in sixth man Schmitt - and the move paid dividends.
The Bears rolled 1,036 and 986 to finish 44 pins ahead of third-place Notre Dame.
"We did a lot of mental toughness this week." Kupfer said. "This was the first day we have bowled six complete games. Notre Dame came on strong and they were right next to us. We held them off bowling well the last game.
"This is the first year we've had actually six varsity bowlers. All average 200 or better. We had an option to go to another bowler. Schmitt can get lined up and give you that big game."
In Game 5, Schmitt fired a 257 and followed with a 184 in his final game.
"I'm use to sitting for a couple of games," Schmitt said. "Coming in with the big game, I believe gave the team a big lift. After that, we got more energized and bowled better."
Sixth-place finisher Kyle Hunter led the Bears with a 1,245 series that included a 268, the highest game of the sectional 268. Teammate Steve Garcia (1,232) placed ninth. Other Bears scorers included Austin Wells (1,194), Luke Mueller (1,145) and Tony Giannecchini (696, four games).
Libertyville had two bowlers finish in the top 10, freshman Jake Thompson (fifth with 1,260) and Markus Truskowski (10th with 1,207).