Cougars 2nd at Classic
Finding an alternative has been a big plus for Aaron Adams and Lake Park’s boys bowling team.
Adams recently switched his style from being right-handed to a two-handed bowler. While not an easy change for many competitors, Adams has been able to maintain a 223 average.
Adams rolled a 258 Saturday, helping carry the Lancers to the championship of the Cougars Classic at Brunswick Zone in Vernon Hills. The Lancers knocked down 6,430 pins to defeat the runner-up host Cougars with 6,300 in the 24 team field over six games.
“When I’m bowling, I don’t pay attention to individual scores or team scores,” Adams said. “To me, looking at scores makes me think more. I know I have to bowl good and it’s put more pressure on me.”
During the past few years, a number of bowlers have tried the two-handed style including Jason Belmonte on the PBA Tour.
Adams began bowling just a couple of years ago. But while playing soccer, Adams broke his thumb and it took some time to heal so he decided to bowl two-handed. Adams did go back to a one-handed style when his thumb healed, but he returned to the two-handed method, working on his release.
Adams rolled a 300 in October two-handed. Three weeks later, he decided to stick with it. During a recent practice, he rolled an incredible 888 series that included games of 299, 289 and 300.
Ryan Keith led the Lancers with a runner-up finish individually a six-game series of 1,382 with high games of 265 and 255. Ryan finished 44 pins behind tournament champion Zach Cole of Deerfield (1,426). Cole shot back-to-back 279’s over the last two games.
Vernon Hills received a career-best 269 finishing game from Jeremy Steininger, which finished third (1,359).
“I thought I had lost to Nick (Garpow) and didn’t know until after the game,” Steininger said. “My legs were getting tired, I was just getting into a rhythm and throwing the ball. Teammate Garpow took fifth (1,338) and had the highest game of the day with a 280.
Other Cougars’ scores included Eric Swanson (1,259) 17th, Jimmy Trycha (1,198) and Steven Linda (1,146).
“We got three kids among the top scores and what else can you ask for,” said Cougars coach Ron Long.
“Lake Park was a tough team and deserved to win this one. Watch out, our team is coming along. It will be interesting, we’ve got all the talent in the world.”
Paul Ritt of Stevenson finished sixth wth 1,327, starting with an impressive 753 series for the first three games.
“I felt I was pretty strong over the first three (games),” Ritt said. “My weakness is bowling on dry lanes. However, I pulled together, stuck to my ground and finished with a 215 the last game.”
Lake Zurich’s Mike Schmitt placed 13th (1,291), Alex Schwarz of Fenton took 20th (1,244) and Libertyville’s Jake Thompson was 22nd (1,236).
Boys swimming
Mundelein’s boys swimming team made a splash in its season-opening meet Saturday.
Connor Black and Will Davidson each won two events and swam on two winning relays, leading the Mustangs to the championship of the Niles West invitational.
Black touched first in the 200-yard individual medley (1:56.75) and 100 butterfly (53.19), while Davidson captured the 50 freestyle (22.09) and 100 free (49.36).
Mundelein’s victorious 200 medley relay (1:39.86) featured Black, Davidson, Bryan Wiener and Sean Falconer. The same foursome made up the 200 free relay (1:28.89) that finished first.
Mundelein totaled 385 points to comfortably outdistance Niles West (310). Buffalo Grove (255) was third.
Boys basketball
Warren 55, New Trier: At New Trier, the Blue Devils won their fourth in a row and second in as many nights to improve to 4-1.
Lake Forest 62, Carmel 58: At Lake Forest, the Corsairs lost their third in a row to fall to 3-5.
Woodstock 53, Wauconda 43: Despite Kyle Ryan’s 21 points, which included three 3-pointers, the visiting Bulldogs lost the nonconference game to drop to 0-6.
Girls basketball
Libertyville 52, Lake Zurich 33: Savannah Trees scored 14 points and Olivia Wilcox added 10, as the visiting Wildcats improved to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in the North Suburban Lake Division.
Kaca Savatic chipped in 9 points, Alex Haley had eight and Valerie Van Roeyen tallied seven.
Lake Zurich (4-3, 0-2), which lost its third straight, received 8 points from Dori Darras.
Antioch 51, Round Lake 36: The visiting Sequoits snapped a four-game losing streak.
Round Lake (4-4, 0-2) was led by Chanae Brown’s 18 points. Krsytal Pitts added eight.
Maine South 43, Warren 35: Jessica Prince had another double-double, but the Blue Devil dropped their second in a row.
Prince scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the nonconference game. Lexi Leneau added 11 points, 3 assists and 3 steals for Warren (2-4).
Girls bowling
Dundee-Crown invite: Mary Stets earned first place with a 531 series and 209 high game, leading Grayslake Central to the championship in its first tournament of the season.
The Rams received other strong performances from Hannah Ferris, Zoe Caliendo, Krista Emshwiller and Ashley Newman.