Girls bowling: Scouting Lake County
AntiochCoach: Phil Lindberg (fifth year)
House: Palace Bowl, Johnsburg
Top bowlers lost: none
Top returning bowlers: Hyacinthe Ingram (sr.), Erin Koch (sr.), Taylor Vickers (sr.) Jayme Bailey (jr.), Sam Knab (so.)
Newcomers: Kaitlin Sommerfelt (jr.), Makayla Fischer (so.)
Outlook: Antioch returns with completely the same team from last year, only with another year of experience under its belt. The Sequoits are hoping that could lead them down a successful path this season. "I think we should be stronger this season," Antioch coach Phil Lindberg said. "The main thing for us is to be stronger on our spare shooting. We just need to do the basics and bowl a lot more. This team could go pretty far this year."
Grayslake CentralCoach: Mike Blasevich (first year)
House: Brunswick Zone - Hawthorn Lanes, Vernon Hills
Top bowlers lost: Celeste Amaral, Asia Cole-Pole, Melanie Flores, Sarah Polsgrove, Josie Taylor.
Top bowlers returning: Kelsey Host (jr.), Samantha Kingsfield (jr.)
Newcomers: Alexandra Goedert (sr.), Ashley Swaikowski (sr.), Katrina Seale (jr.), Colleen Thake (so.), Brianna Cole-Pole (fr.), Madison Ervin (fr.), Jessica Gurchak (fr.)
Other bowlers: Miranda Eby (jr.), Clover Rodriguez (jr.), Chante Cole-Pole (so.)
Outlook: First-year coach Mike Blasevich wants to set the Grayslake Central bowling program on a winning course. "I expect to build the foundation of this program," he said. "Our main goal is to make state, but there will be a lot of learning and fun along the way. We need to stay mentally focused on achieving our goals. We'll need to work as a team to support each other in times of need and so far they've done a great job at that."
Grayslake NorthCoach: Laura Bertermann (22nd year)
House: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake
Top bowlers lost: Kait Christiansen, Sarah Littleton (St. Francis, Pa.)
Top bowlers returning: Jessica Vaughn (sr.), Payton Bertermann (jr.), Gaby Silva (so.)
Newcomers: Val Zamora (sr.), Taylor Bell (so.), E'Sence Kenebrew (so.)
Other bowlers: Sam Markese (sr.), Ashley Ragar (jr.)
Outlook: Grayslake North lost one of its best bowlers, Sarah Littleton, to graduation. But there's more talent waiting to hit lanes this season. "I believe that the potential in the new girls that came out this season is amazing," Grayslake North coach Laura Bertermann said. "One thing I can say is that the team that starts the season will look and function completely differently by the end of the season. We will need to rely on new bowlers to improve throughout the season. Mental toughness and grit is something we work on consistently. I believe we have the makings of a state-qualifying team."
GrantCoach: Beth Miller (13th year)
House: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake
Top bowlers lost: Kendyl Bigony
Top bowlers returning: Payel Patel (sr.), Emily Bajerski (jr.)
Newcomers: Autumn Hernandez (fr.)
Other bowlers: Brianna Burgeson (sr.), Janette Romero (sr.), Nautyca Thul (jr.)
Outlook: Grant has several key bowlers back, which is why expectations are high for this season. "We're working to make a strong showing in their last year in the North Suburban conference," Grant coach Beth Miller said. "The season would be better than expected if the team qualified beyond regional competition."
Lake ZurichCoach: Mel Fox (10th year)
House: Brunswick Deer Park
Top bowlers lost: Emily Broj, McKensie Czabaj, Christina Eddleman, Melissa Klein, Shannon O'Hara, Aine Mattera, Brittany Pettinger, Emily Shaw, Alexis Waul.
Top returning bowlers: Dana Nelson (jr.), Amanda Tarlos (jr.), Becky Mnichowicz (so.), Allison O'Hara (so.), Lauren O'Hara (so.)
Newcomers: Maddy Glaser (jr.), Amanda Guerico (jr.), Evelyn Lamb (so.), Alexis Naleck (so.), Kristie Skoby (so.), Jillian Glasser (fr.), Nicole Martin (fr.), Hailey Muellner (fr.), Gabby Vitale (fr.)
Outlook: Lake Zurich was hit pretty hard by graduation, but the overall numbers still look good as a bunch of younger competitors are ready to roll right into their places. "We should be competitive with the other teams in the area," Lake Zurich coach Mel Fox said. "With no seniors, we're looking for a great next two seasons. The girls are practicing well and bonding as a team. The camaraderie and support for each other brings a positive attitude to our practices. Our team goal is to compete well in both dual meets and tournaments, with qualifying for state as our ultimate goal.
LakesCoach: Melissa Cross (11th year)
House: Bertrand's Bowl, Waukegan
Top bowlers lost: Katie Julkowski, Olivia Melberg, Madison Shirley, Allison Vancray.
Top returning bowlers: Samantha Scroggin (sr.)
Newcomers: Jacque Pettigrew (jr.), Emily Voight (fr.)
Other bowlers: Emily George (so.), Gillian Vettese (so.)
Outlook: Lakes has its sights set for a better season this fall. The Eagles may be young, but they also have some returning talent. "We foresee a good, strong team with a healthy balance of returning bowlers and new ones," Lakes coach Melissa Cross said. "The girls continue to work on staying strong throughout the full game, and not letting one bad ball thrown stop them from finishing strong. We're hoping to qualify as a team at regionals, and have individual bowlers advance to sectionals and eventually then on to state."
LibertyvilleCoach: Lindsey Siegel (sixth year)
House: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein
Top returning bowlers: Haley Amderson (sr.), Emma Davellis (Aurora University) (sr.), Taylor Sloan (sr.)
Outlook: Libertyville has a core of three bowlers back with varsity experience. Emma Davellis has already committed bowling at Aurora University next year. She, along with Haley Anderson and Taylor Sloan, will provide plenty of leadership this season. "Outstanding," is the word Libertyville coach Lindsey Siegel used to describe the general mood of the program. "Although we lost several girls to graduation, we're so excited to have a large number of new bowlers. This is the perfect time to rebuild a solid team. We have a lot of experience between these seniors. I know that they have their plans set for the state tournament this season."
Round LakeCoach: Rebecca Hoffmann (ninth year)
House: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake
Top bowlers lost: Sierra Brinegar
Top returning bowlers: Danielle Devoss (sr.), Sydney Devoss (jr.), Alison Pederson (jr.)
Newcomers: Raygan Lenington (fr.)
Other bowlers: Morgan Vigeant (so.)
Outlook: Round Lake will have a somewhat new look this season, but coach Rebecca Hoffman is looking forward to seeing younger bowlers find their roles. "We're looking for girls to step up to take their places," she said. "We're looking to have a solid 6-rotating member varsity squad. We're focused having a positive year. and to be competitive in divisional matches. I have no doubt that this group of girls is willing to work hard and work together."
StevensonCoach: Gina Johnson (23rd year)
House: Fairhaven Bowl, Mundelein
Top bowlers lost: Sam Szura (Elmhurst College), Colleen Vandermuelen.
Top returning bowlers: Amy Atkinson (sr.), Xantle Coulson (sr.), Kaitlyn Rudy (sr.) (Wichita State), Nina Wright (sr.)
Newcomers: Sami Schmidt (sr.), Jackie Koepp (so.), Jazquline Kim (fr.)
Other bowlers: Neeraja Kadiyale (jr.), Ayla Kim (jr.)
Outlook: Stevenson looks like a team with the kind of ability to go far this season. Leading the way will be Wichita State-bound bowler Kaitlyn Rudy. The Patriots have a senior-dominated team. "I do expect us to finish in the top third of our conference and to have either a team or individual make it to the state level," Stevenson coach Gina Johnson said. "We need to have consistency, that's the key to happiness and to finishing frames. We'd like to make it to Saturday at state."
Vernon HillsCoach: Andra Dalton (10th year)
House: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn Lanes, Vernon Hills
Top bowlers lost: Jamie Cwiak, Alison Dunca, Leilan Masikat, Reona Sullivan.
Top returning bowlers: Lauren Lee (jr.), Alex Napierkowski (jr.)
Other bowlers: Carter Ray (sr.), Rachel Rosenberg (sr.), Andreana Tangonan (sr.)
Outlook: Vernon Hills will have a young team building toward the future this season. "We're looking forward to a lot of growth this year, both on and off the lanes," Vernon Hills coach Andra Dalton said. "As always, the bowlers need to focus, during practices and meets, as well as work on specific parts of their individual games to become the best bowler possible."
WarrenCoach: KC Lang (first year)
House: Bertrand Lanes, Waukegan
Top bowlers graduated: Jaimie Bratzke (Clark University, Iowa), Ariel Haith (Virginia State)
Top returning bowlers: Kayla Rossi (jr.)
Newcomers: Elina Back (so.), Puneet Kaur (so.), Anna Myers (so.), Nina Aviles (fr.), Alyana Crump (fr.), Theresa Harrison (fr.)
Other bowlers: Victoria Dizon (jr.), Maggie Faje (so.)
Outlook: Warren lost a couple of competitive bowlers from last season but has a competent, young group ready to roll this season. "We expect to be competitive and focus on doing things as a program and as a team," said first-year Warren coach KC Lang. "One of our team goals is to master basics and have a strong mental approach to the game. If we minimize our open frames and cover our spares with regularity, we will have a great chance to be successful. We want to give ourselves that chance every frame by hitting the pocket and making adjustments from there. It's too early to say how far we can go. Every year at Warren the goal is to be successful in our conference matches while working to build tournament mentality and success every Saturday. If we can do that, we can give ourselves a shot to compete and ultimately a chance to make it to the state tournament."
WaucondaCoach: Mindy Lorence (ninth year)
House: 3D Bowl, Island Lake
Top bowlers lost: Kelly Cronin, Jordan Meland
Top returning bowlers: Aimee Berg (jr.), Deidre Loos (jr.), Nia Nguyen (so.)
Newcomers: Shannon Peat (jr.), Samantha Ryne Cunningham (fr.), Gretchen Hoffeditz (fr.), Katelyn Johns (fr.)
Other bowlers: Guen Micheal (sr.), Kaitlyn Johnson (jr.), Lilley Meeks (jr.)
Outlook: Building to be better is the mission for Wauconda's bowlers this season. "This year the team is continuing to improve their scores and will try to improve their overall wins during bowling meets and tournaments," Wauconda coach Mindy Lorence said. "The ladies are motivated to learn, improve, and have a successful bowling season."