One sweet finish for these seniors

For any high school senior athlete, no matter what the sport, reaching the conclusion of their final season can be a bittersweet experience.

One can look back on four years of camaraderie, competition, shared friendships and remarkable achievements, but with the knowledge it all too soon will be coming to an end.

But if you're talented, persistent, and maybe a little bit lucky, you can leave behind a legacy that is just as important as the time and effort that you put in.

Such is the case this year with two outstanding senior bowlers, who share a history of not only stellar play but also maturity and leadership.

Not to mention their mad bowling skills.

Jennifer Schmitt of Wheeling and Julie Thomas from Schaumburg both have made their senior seasons memorable ones.

Thomas finished fifth overall in the Mid-Suburban League in individual average (196.92), rolled the second-highest series of the season (708) and had the sixth-best game of the year (257) in helping lead the Saxons to an MSL championship.

Not to be outdone, Schmitt excelled as well with a 193.79 average, good for eighth overall, bowled the third-best series in the league (706), and boasted the fourth-best game, a 266.

And though the two 17-year-olds are reaching new heights in their final campaign, they took remarkably different paths to the top.

Schmitt took up the sport at the age of 6, and over the years kept playing and practicing until she felt she was good enough, upon enrolling at Wheeling, to try out for the freshman team.

But the varsity coach, Beth Anderson, had different ideas.

"I was extremely nervous at freshman tryouts," said Schmitt, "but I bowled a 600 series, and the next day coach Anderson told me that she knew I'd like to be with my friends on the freshman team - but how would I feel about being on varsity?

"I was so excited I called my dad right away to tell him."

For Thomas, it was an extremely different situation.

The senior had bowled "maybe once before in her life" before entering high school, but wanted to be part of a team and decided to give the sport a try.

There was an immediate connection.

"I made the freshman team and it was so much fun - but it also was a big learning experience," said Thomas. "I have to give a lot of credit for my success to (Schaumburg freshman coach) Mike Ostergreen. He taught me so much about bowling, and he was the one who made sure I stuck to it, especially because it seemed like I had a talent for it."

Good decision for Thomas, who is in her first year on varsity and has been a bright spot all season for the Saxons.

As has Schmitt for the Wildcats. The four-year varsity standout has made a huge impact not only on the sport in general but especially to the Wheeling program.

"In the four years she's been here," said coach Anderson, "she has completely changed the culture as far as Wheeling bowling is concerned.

"She is always encouraging her teammates to bowl in the off-season, and she has taken on a great leadership role. She's been the MVP of our team each season, and even with the outstanding season she's having this year, she still feels that she could do better."

Being a leader is something Schmitt does not take lightly.

"When the season ends," said Schmitt, "I always recommend to my teammates that they get into off-season leagues, and I tell them to call me if they have any questions or problems. Sometimes the younger girls have questions and rather than asking a coach, they'd rather speak to one of their peers.

"I always try to be there for them, and it brings us closer together as a team. I don't want anyone to be afraid to ask if they need help. When I was a lonely freshman, I was sometimes in that position, so I want them to know I'm there if they need me."

Thomas feels as well that being a leader and an inspiration to the underclassmen is one of the most important aspects of being a senior.

"The younger girls are sometimes afraid to go to the coaching staff with their questions," said Thomas. "I feel that it's my responsibility to be there for them - that's what being a role model is all about.

"I think that my biggest strength is that I don't show a lot of emotion on the lanes. Even if I throw a good ball and get a bad break, I try to keep my disappointment to myself. I don't want my teammates thinking, 'Oh, no, Julie's upset.'

"I try to stay relaxed and think that my next ball is the first ball of the rest of the game."

And now that their season and high school bowling careers are coming to an end, Thomas and Schmitt are looking for a final run at the state playoffs.

Thomas hopes to move on with her talented Saxons team, which qualified for the state tournament last year. Schmitt, who has just missed out on going downstate the last two years, would love to advance with her Wheeling squad as well but at least would like to qualify as an individual.

Thomas got a taste of the state tourney in 2009 as a member of the junior varsity team. She traveled with the varsity to Rockford and due to circumstances that arose, was moved up and bowled one game for the Saxons at the tournament.

"Our goal is to get back to state," said Thomas, who will compete in Saturday's sectional tournament in Rolling Meadows despite a hip injury that has been extremely painful the last few weeks.

"It's my left hip," said Thomas. "I talked to one of my relatives in the medical profession and they said it was probably some type of a nerve problem. But I try not to think about it - I put it aside and don't let it get to me."

Such dedication is not lost on her coach, Mark Kelly.

"I know it bothers her," said Kelly, "but she tells me that she wants to keep bowling. I give her all the credit in the world - it's her first year on varsity and she has exceeded all of our expectations. She's a fighter."

And so is Schmitt, who despite all of her amazing success has yet to make the trip to Rockford for the final tournament of the year.

"That's my goal," said Schmitt. "I've been so close - I missed by only 9 pins last year, and 5 pins the year before."

And if there's any justice, both outstanding performers will be bowling at the highest level at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford the second weekend of February.