Antioch rolls right into trophy hunt
ROCKFORD - Antioch's for real, and proved as much through the opening day of the girls bowling state tournament at Cherry Bowl Lanes on Friday.
Antioch set high standards going into the state weekend and set itself up for finishing in contention for a state trophy in today's finals.
The Sequoits sit in third place with 6,346, but are only 33 pins out of the top spot behind Collinsville 6,379 and six back of Rockford Guilford 6,352 through the first six games.
"All year long we've been trying to get better," Antioch coach Jeff Childress said. "The whole team is trying to contribute. We just want to be in the fight. All the big teams in the state have to deal with Antioch now. We just have to keep our heads on straight and keep on coming."
There are six more games to be rolled today, and Antioch will be trying to beat the program's best finish of fifth place, in both 1994 and 2006.
"Who knows what might happen?" Childress said. "We're not going to make any predictions. It's just exciting to be the fight. We come in (Saturday) and give it our all. Whatever happens, we'll leave it on the lanes."
On Friday, the Sequoits started out strong with games of 1,095, 1,059 and 1,067 for a season-best 3,221, and then they followed up with 1,088, 1,035 and 1,002 for a 3,125.
Kaitlyn Trusky led the team by breaking 700 in both sets and sits second individually with 1,442, behind tournament leader Frannie Steiner (1,446) of Collinsville. Trusky had a career-best 741 in the morning, rolling games of 235, 279 and 227. She followed up with games of 216, 228 and 257 for a 701.
Katlyn Bain also tossed a career-best series of 724 in the morning with 233, 268 and 223. Bain then shot 553 for the other three.
"I would shoot the ball anywhere and it came back for me," Bain said. "When we practiced on (Thursday), I had shot a couple of 200s. So I felt pretty good about it coming in."
Other scorers for Antioch included Alyssa Alvarez (1,260), Samantha Rolph (1,254), Allyson Mathias (589-three games), Kelsey Schreiber (347-two games) and Stevie Lindberg (177-one game).
Last year's state champion Nicole Sanhamel of Vernon Hills, who dealt with pressure reaching the state meet Saturday, rolled a 279 in game five and it helped make the cut with a 6-game total of 1,242. Sanhamel rolled 581 and 661.
"I'm glad I did get a good game," said Sanhamel who started it with a couple of spares and finished with 10 strikes in a row. "I kept hitting my mark in that game.
"Nobody has an idea of how much pressure there is coming back."
Grant's Brie Brugioni also qualified rolling an afternoon series of 632 after a 569 in the morning for a 1,201.
"I knew I had to come out like the way I usually bowl after the morning," Brugioni said, "I just had no carry what so ever. I was taking taking games one at a time and one shot at time."
Warren finished 18th with 5,364. The Blue Devils shot 2,586 for the first three and recovered with 2,778 over the last three.
"Just being here was a surprise," Warren coach Rick Novak said. "We struggled in the morning. I wasn't unhappy about it at all. But the kids woke up in the afternoon."
The Blue Devils' players were Maria Strauss (1,134), Casey Brown (1,130), Sarah Griffis (1,078), Megan Kile (1,021), Kelly Morse (824-five games) and May Seedanok (177-one game).
Jacobs made its run into the state tournament and didn't make the second day but finished in 17th place (5,443). Jacobs also set a school-team record with a 1,073 second game. The Golden Eagles added 807 and 917 for a morning set of 2,797. That was followed with 895-898-853 for 2,646.
"We didn't make the top 12, but it was a good experience for our team," Jacobs coach Jim Rood said. "We hope to be back next year with the same girls. The girls work together with good friendships, and it all helps. It should all help for the future."
The Golden Eagles had one bowler, Becca Payne make the cut with 1,167 and qualified for Saturday. Payne rolled a 620 and a 547. Others were Jennifer Rood (1,099), Gianna Scarpelli (1,097), Sarah Siska (1,046) and Ashley Rood (1,034).
Downers Grove North finished 21st (5,262) and Willowbrook 23rd (5,221) respectively.
Rachel Oldham of Downers Grove North qualified for Saturday with a 1,238 series and had rolled a 631 and 607 series.
"I'm super excited about it being my first time at state," said Oldham, who also had a high game of 258. "I just had to find my mark and keep with it. Everything just clicked in the big game."
Other bowlers for Downers Grove North included Tegan Clinton (1,117), Molly Corbett (1,045), Elyse Besinger (938), Melinda Novak (618-four games), Marisa Bellie (306-two games).
Willowbrook's Tiffany Priola also reached Saturday with a 6-game total of 1,192 and rolled 631 and 561.
"I just wanted to be consistent and bowl my best," said Priola, a senior, who has qualified as freshman and sophomore years but missed out last year.
Some of the other Willowbrook bowlers were Bridget O'Hara (1,157), Maura Wren (1,048), Katie Carmona (974), Nakia Porter (439-three games) and Sarah Hertz (411-three games).
Dayna Mackie of Glenbard East tossed an 1,197 with a 631 in the afternoon after throwing a 566 and also qualified for Saturday.