Schaumburg's Gawlik on a roll
It was a very good day for Schaumburg on Friday at the first day of the girls bowling state championships at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford.
Especially for their junior star, Jodi Gawlik.
The Saxons qualified for today's final session by acheiving a total pinfall of 5,908 to finish ninth among the 24 qualifying teams.
The top 12 schools move on to today's event led by Collinsville, which is 27 pins ahead of second-place Rockford Guilford, and the quality of the bowlers competing was emphasized by not one but two 300 games.
Kristy Gualdoni of Herrin was perfect her opening game while Megan Buja of Rockford Jefferson shot 300 in her second game.
Gawlik, who's sister Marilyn won the individual championship in 2008, is in a position to match her sister with a state title.
The junior, who led the Mid-Suburban League in average this season, rolled 6 games over 200 for a total pinfall of 1,422, good for third position individually heading into the final day.
Gawlik trails lead Frannie Steiner of Collinsville by 24 pins and second-place qualifier Kaitlyn Trusky of Antioch by 20 pins.
Elk Grove, the MSL's other state qualifier, fell short of moving on as a team, although junior Caerlina Williams and Ashley Dolce did advance individually.
The Grens, after a slow start, staged a stirring afternoon rally but still fell 45 pins behind 12th place Bremen.
"The girls were a little nervous, and their inexperience competing at the state level showed," said Elk Grove coach Kim Sander.
It was the first time the Grens, who have only one senior (Sarah Bunta) on their roster, had advanced to the state tournament as a team in 10 years.
"The team was a little stunned, to be honest, not to move on (to the second day,)" said Sander. "But they're in high spirits and are ready to support Ashley and Caerlina on Saturday."
Other local qualifiers who went to state as individuals acquitted themselves nicely on Friday.
Conant senior Stephanie Vura bowled games of 231 and 225 enroute to a 1159 series, while Hersey senior Carina Balan had games of 224 and 222.
Schaumburg sophomore Cheyenne Pfeiffer stepped up to make a big contribution to the Saxons' advancement by knocking down 1008 pins in only 5 games played, including a 258 in her fourth game.
Junior Cheryl Halas contributed for Schaumburg with a 240 in Game 1 enroute to a 1146 series.
Dolce (1209) and Williams (1196) were consistent all day for the Grenadiers, while junior Sarah Ray shot a career-best 269 in the pressure-packed final game of the day, almost lifting Elk Grove to a team advancement.
"I'm proud of our team," said Ray. "It was a little overwhelming here - we've never been a situation like this before, and we were nervous. Our hearts were racing."
"I'm very glad that Ashley and Caerlina made it to the final day of competition. We'll be rooting them on."