Gawlik second, Tado fifth in final state standings
For the second consecutive year, Jodi Gawlik claimed the second-place medal at the girls state bowling tournament at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford.
The Schaumburg senior led after Friday’s first round but was overtaken by an outstanding performance Saturday from Natalie Goodman of downstate O’Fallon.
Goodman matched Gawlik’s perfect game in Round 1 by rolling her own 300 en route to a 799 series in the morning session. Her final pinfall total of 2,867 and per-game average of 238.9 (state records) bested Gawlik by 109 pins.
Harlem took home the team championship by 348 pins over Plainfield Central.
Gawlik’s own total of 2,758, including a 257 game Saturday, was one of the best scores in tournament history — but not enough to stop Goodman’s march to the top.
“It’s a great feeling, but it is bittersweet,” said McKendree University-bound Gawlik of her second straight runner-up performance. “I can’t be mad, though, because she (Goodman) bowled great all day.”
“My emotions were not quite what they should have been today. I let her game get into my head, but when I look back to my freshman year and compare it to now, I see how much I’ve grown as a person and as a bowler.”
Elk Grove junior Tedra Tado also savored a spectacular Saturday. Tado was in 14th position after Friday’s six-game first round, but she moved up to take the fifth-place individual medal after six games over 200 in Round 2.
“It just shows how hard Tedra has worked, and how much concentration she had today,” said Grenadiers coach Kim Sander.
Sander said Tado didn’t want to know what position she was in until the tourney was over.
“It’s been one of my goals since last year to finish in the top 10,” said the junior. “Today, I just focused on myself and didn’t pay attention to anyone else, and that helped out a lot.”
“My teammates were here to support me and that meant a lot to me.”
Prospect finished sixth in the team race as senior Kelly Lawless led the way with a two-day total of 2,412.
“The girls had a very strong tournament,” said Knights coach Greg Troyer. “It was their goal to get to to state, and they did it and had a wonderful experience.”
“I’m going to miss them,” added Troyer, who will see four starting seniors graduate this year.
“They’re great kids and great athletes, with great attitudes, and they had a phoenomenal season.”
Hoffman Estates senior Kailey Schlosser fired an overall 2,392 as the Hawks took eighth place. Classmate Liz Saffold finished with 2,380 pins knocked down.
Sophomore Danielle Trevino of Leyden fired a 232 game Saturday en route to a 2,360 total.
Junior Shana Rarick (2269) was impressive for Buffalo Grove.
Prospect senior Mary Styzek rolled a 233 game as she and classmate Whitney Schmidt both averaged 190.5 for the meet, while teammate Emily Victor, another senior, scored her best-ever three-game series of 673 in Saturday’s afternoon session.
“I was pretty excited,” said Victor, “but it was completely unexpected. At that point I was thinking of the team and not of myself. We were happy. We got our momentum back Saturday, and it was a great way to go out. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.”