Vernon Hills takes state tournament lead
Getting to the boys bowling state tournament has been an annual trip for both Vernon Hills and Lake Zurich.
But this year has a different kind of feel to it, especially for Vernon Hills after the first day at St. Clair Bowl in downstate O’Fallon.
The Cougars are sitting on top of the team race by 163 pins over Rockford Guilford. Vernon Hills rolled 6,443 over the 6 games on Friday. Lake Zurich also advanced to today’s action and stands in 10th place with 6,040.
Vernon Hills took over the top spot with an impressive Game 5 of 1,100 and threw 1,136 and 1,066 for a season-best 3,302 over its last three games.
“We just had different guys step up,” Vernon Hills coach Ron Long said. “That’s what you want in a team. It was a team effort and it’s something we’ve been striving for all year.”
Being in the lead after the first day in something new for the program. Vernon Hills’ 2005 team took home the school’s only team trophy with a third-place finish.
“We’ve been down here so many times,” said Long, who will oversee 6 more games Saturday. “Right now, we’ve got a neutral feeling. We know good things can happen and bad things can happen. We just want to stay even right now.”
Nick Garpow and Eric Swanson led the Cougars’ balanced effort as both rolled 1,299 over the 6 games. Swanson hit a high game of 265 and Garpow tossed a 259. Mason Medaj shot 1,289, Steven Linda 1,280, Jeremy Steininger 933 in 4 games, Jimmy Tyrcha 174 and David Goldberg 169.
“It’s definitely a different feeling after the first day,” said Garpow, who has been downstate the last couple of years. “We hold our own destiny. We know about being in first place, and we have to keep going.”
Lake Zurich made its way into first place by Game 4 before an 801 and then a 935 in the final game dropped the Bears to 10th.
“I’m not sure if the kids were looking at the other scores,” Lake Zurich coach Peter Kupfer said. “The kids just were not making good shots. I really don’t have answer for it.
“I’m impressed how the kids came back (in the last game). I still believe we have a lot left going into the final day.”
Mike Schmitt led the Bears with 1,338 over the 6 games, good for 13th place individually. Schmitt opened his 727 in the morning with a 278 game and followed with a 611. Other LZ totals: Kyle Hunter (1,260), Tony Giannecchini (1,194), Steve Garcia (1,096), Mike Adamczyk (898, 4 games), Jeremy Krause (129) and Mike Wormley (125).