Girls bowling / Scouting Lake County
Antioch
Coach: Phil Lindberg (first year)
Host Lanes: Antioch Lanes, Antioch.
Top bowlers lost: Katy Bain (Robert Morris), Samantha Dvorek (Carthage) Allyson Mathis (Carthage), Symantha Rolph (Robert Morris),
Top returning bowlers: Sarah Gagnon (Sr.), Brittany Hansen (Sr.), Stevie Lindberg (Sr.), Kelsey Schreiber (Sr.), Ally Arnold (Sr.), Bianca Gallery (Sr.), Sam Hall (Sr.), Amanda Ponders (Jr.), Katie Smart (Jr.), Cassie Giamarusti (So.), Kelsey Maldonado (So,).
Newcomers: Gracia Kwila (So.)
Outlook: Antioch’s successful run of reaching state the last three years should carry over for another year. But it will definitely have a different look, as coach Jeff Childress has moved on after a three-year stint as coach, and Phil Lindberg will take over. “I expect us to be one of the teams at the top of the conference at the end of the year,” Lindberg said. “Having three experienced bowlers of knowing what it’s like to be there helps — they are fundamentally strong. They also know what it’s like to go to state, and a couple of them have been there for 3 years.”
Did you know: Antioch has had three straight state appearances with 13th-, 4th- and 7th-place finishes.
Grant
Coach: Beth Miller (fifth year)
Host Lanes: (Lakes Bowl, Round Lake)
Top bowlers lost: Deysi Moya
Top returning bowlers: Jessica Catinella (Sr.), Sami Jo Zak (Jr.), Jenelle Nikolai (Jr.), and Vanessa Foreman (Jr.)
Newcomers: Stephanie Currie (Sr.), Paige Elfering (Jr.), Taylor Spradling (Jr.), Kyra Varney (Jr.), and Dani von Helms (Jr.)
Outlook: Expectations are going to be at a higher level for Grant this season. “With no major roster changes to our varsity squad, I expect our team to be competitive in the NSC,” Grant coach Beth Miller said. “The girls have been working hard and are ready to get the season rolling.”
Did you know: Grant reached state as a team in 2009 which was the first time in 32 years.
Grayslake Central
Coach: Diana Soenksen (third year)
Host Lanes: Brunswick Zone - Vernon Hills,
Top bowlers lost: Mary Stetz, Zoe Caliendo, Morganne Taylor, Maggie Kolf, Casie Henrikson
Top returning bowlers: Ashley Newman (Sr,), Katie Adkins (Jr.), Ilona Katsman (Jr.), Viri Muguia (So.)
Newcomers: Christie Paulick (Jr.), Josie Taylor (Fr.), Sarah Polsgrove (Fr.),
Outlook: The Rams will be on the young side but aim to get better as the season goes forward. “We are a young team, but we are hoping do well this year,” Grayslake Central coach Diana Soenksen said. “The girls have a lot of energy are very excited to learn more about the sport and improve their skills each day.”
Did you know: Ashley Newman just missed reaching state for the Rams after finishing ninth in the sectional.
Grayslake North
Coach: Laura Bertermann (fourth year)
Host Lanes: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake.
Top bowlers lost: Megan Cassidy and Lisa Seedoff
Top returning bowlers: Lauren Corda (Sr.), Melanie Martinez (Sr.), Catherine Kowalski (Jr.), Brittany Spychalski (Jr.), Madi Bertermann (So.).
Newcomers: Sarah Littleton (Fr,)
Outlook: Experienced, successful bowlers figure to be a big help as the Knights pursue higher scores. Overall, Grayslake North age profile is decidedly young. “I expect my team to be more competitive in the Fox Valley Conference, finishing in the top half,” Grayslake North coach Laura Bertermann said. “We have 24 girls out for our team this year and over half of them are freshmen. This allows us to begin building a strong foundation that will allow for many years of competitive bowling for Grayslake North.”
Did you know: In just four years, the Knights have already doubled participation in the sport of bowling.
Lake Zurich
Coach: Mel Fox (sixth year)
Host Lanes: Brunswick Zone - Deer Park
Top bowlers lost: Larissa Howard (Elmhurst), Abby Turk, Amanda Peterson
Top returning bowlers: Danielle Sikorski (Jr.), Erin Kyrk (Jr.), Caitlin O’Donovan (Jr.), Stephanie Klein (Jr.), Nicole Bianchi (Jr.), Erin Morales (So.), Melanie Ross (So.)
Newcomers: Christiann Finlon (Jr.), Aisling Finn (Jr.), Meaghan Gallagher (Jr.), Katie Grady (Jr.), Paige Nagy (Jr.), Chelsie Roth (So.), Jensen Anderson (Fr.), Emily Broj (Fr.), Christina Eddleman (Fr.), Aine Mattera (Fr.), Shannon O’Hara (Fr.), Brittney Pettinger (Fr.), Emily Shaw (Fr.)
Outlook: Lake Zurich has a nice mix of returning bowlers, as well as some youthful bowlers who already have had experience. “We are looking forward to a winning season,” Lake Zurich coach Mel Fox said. “We have a lot of newcomers to compete with our returning bowlers. There are a number of girls competing for varsity positions.”
Did you know: The Lake Zurich girls program is in pursuit of its first team state appearence.
Lakes
Coach: Melissa Cross (seventh year)
Host lanes: Antioch Lanes, Antioch
Top bowlers lost: Nicole Gumino and Samantha Detterbeck.
Top bowlers returning: Sarah Ende (Sr.), Missy Beitzel (Jr), Brittany Brager (Jr.), Samantha Potter (Jr.), Kelly VanDerLip (Jr.), Violet Dinger (So.).
Newcomers: Livy Melberg (Fr.), and Raquel Reitmeyer (Fr.)
Outlook: General improvement and unity are the main themes at play for Lakes this season. “We need to work together as one big team,” Lakes coach Melissa Cross said. “Support and encouragement are very important.”
Did you know: Lakes has earned a reputation from other schools for having great school spirit and excellent sportsmanship.
Libertyville
Coach: Lindsey Siegel (second year)
Host Lanes: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein
Top bowlers lost: Laura Polakowski
Top returning bowlers: Ashley Babetch (Sr.), Kayla Gibbs (Sr.), Sam Voelker (Sr.), Natalie Zeng (So.)
Newcomers: Brittany Butler (Sr.)
Outlook: Libertyville is working not only for this season, but also for the future as the program’s numbers are growing. “I am thrilled to have a larger number of girls out this year,” Libertyville coach Lindsey Siegel said. “We are building our team for the future with many new faces.”.
Did you know: Coach Siegel was a former lLibertyville bowler and still bowls in regional tournaments.
Round Lake
Coach: Rebecca Hoffman (fourth year)
Host Lanes: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake
Top bowlers lost: Nycole Archibald
Top returning bowlers: Dena Husk (Sr.), Cortney Hartlieb (Sr.), Felicia Klask (Jr.), Sarah Steele (So.), Sarafina Milianti (So.)
Newcomers: Haley Thomas (So.), Sierra Brinegar (Fr.)
Outlook: Being a part of a re-established program for a few years has made Round Lake a better competitive team each season. “For the first time we’ve got girls that have invested three or four years in our program,” Round Lake coach Rebecca Hoffman said. “If anyone saw the program three years ago, they wouldn’t think it was the same program today. These girls have worked extremely hard over the last three years and have improved tremendously.”
Did you know: Round Lake last made a trip to state as a team in 1991.
Stevenson
Coach: Gina Johnson (16th year)
Host Lanes: eSkape Lames, Buffalo Grove.
Top bowlers lost: Caitlin Collins, Chalie Salzar and Larissa Schwartz.
Top returning bowlers: Alexis Hummel (Sr.), Jordan Hummel (Jr.), Erin Kolber (Jr.), Caitlin Sullivan (Jr.), Ashley Wittert (Jr.)
Newcomers: Sam Szumuara (Fr.)
Outlook: Stevenson returns Ashley Wittert, who made a state appearance as a sophomore last year, and she’ll have quality support from teammates. “We do have good group of bowlers,” Stevenson coach Gina Johnson said. “We could see them peak by the time they are seniors. We would like to see the whole team go down to state this year. It all comes down to our game shooting and competing game by game.”
Did you know: Stevenson has had many individual bowlers reach state over the last 10 years.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Andra Hjelm (sixth year)
Host Lanes: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn, Vernon Hills.
Top bowlers lost: Karolina Jaskowska, Randi Stone (McKendree)
Top returning bowlers: Taylor Rigwood (Sr.), Stephanie Wilson (Sr.), Briana Wolf (Sr.)
Newcomers: Kelly Kalsch (So.), Meghan Calderone (So.) and Rebecca Whalen (So.).
Outlook: Vernon expects to see measured gains this season. The Cougars have three seniors ready to lead the team. “I expect my team to improve this season,” Vernon Hills coach Andra Hjelm said. “We do have a lot of young, brand new bowlers.”
Did you know: Nicole Sanhamel was the first individual state champion for the school in 2010, and only the second overall from Lake County.
Warren
Coach: Rich Novak (seventh year)
Host Lanes: Bertrand Lanes, Waukegan.
Top bowlers lost: none.
Top returning bowlers: Casey Brown (Sr.), Kelly Morse (Sr.), Emily Hughes (So.).
Newcomers: Kelsey Banks (Sr.), Alexis Haith (Sr.), Terra Telow (Jr.).
Outlook: Already, Casey Brown picked up top honors at the Stevenson Invitational last weekend. Brown will lead the way with some other experienced Blue Devils bowlers. “We hope to make it to state, “Warren coach Rich Novak said. “There are a lot of good programs in our conference (NSC) and no givens. Everyone knows it’s a one-day tournament (at sectional) to get to state.”
Did you know: Assistant coach Jim Voutaritsis is a former Warren head coach.
Wauconda
Coach: Mindy Lorence (fifth year)
Host Lanes: 3D Bowl, Island Lake.
Top bowlers lost: Jessica Teuber, Kristen Rasmussen, Danielle Brown, Cathy Miller, Christina Haberichter, Taylor Pryde (Robert Morris)
Top returning bowlers: Shannon Franklin (Sr.), Rebecca Ledenbach (Sr.), Kristine Micheletti (Sr.), Dorina Badino-Berger (Jr.), Sierra Lincoln (Jr.), Cyndi Teuber (Jr.)
Newcomers: none.
Outlook: Wauconda graduated a few experienced bowlers but still has several returning competitors back this year. “I hope we can exceed our record from last year,” Wauconda coach Mindy Lorence said. “We’re looking forward to another great season.”
Did you know: Allie Payne had the highest individual finish for Wauconda at the state tournament, finishing 23rd in 2008.