Girls bowling: Focused Frick has Saxons on a roll

Schaumburg junior bowler Kylie Frick is determined to make this her best-ever season.

Considering how superlative her last two years have been, that's saying a lot.

Frick finished seventh in state as a freshman in leading the Saxons to ninth place overall. And last season she was 19th individually in the state meet at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford.

She's also placed fourth in the Mid-Suburban League the past two campaigns.

"Kylie is cool under pressure," said Schaumburg coach Mark Kelly. "She just makes quality shots.

"We always talk about getting from point A to point B on the lanes, and Kylie does that consistently."

Frick came into MSL play at Arlington Lanes Wednesday with a league-leading 203.19 average, and she added to that mark by rolling a 686 series against Prospect.

The junior fired games of 247 and 234 as the Saxons defeated the Knights, 2,899 pins to 2,474.

"It'd be awesome," said Frick of possibly winning the individual MSL title this year. "This season I set a goal for myself to place first in conference, and it's extremely important for me to accomplish my goal."

Frick also has the top game in the league this year, a 267.

"It's been pretty hard the last couple of years trying to fight for the top," she said. "I've been pretty close, but it would be amazing to get that. I've been trying to handle high stressful situations, trying to stay calm, not let things get to me, and not let distractions get in my head.

"If I keep my spirits up, I feel that I can accomplish anything."

Frick says another goal is to make it back to the state tournament with her team.

"That would be amazing," said Frick, "especially since my sister (Haylie, a freshman) could compete with us at state. That would be one of the best things ever."

Gina Lenoci posted a 242 game as the Saxons kept their hold on second place in conference. Teammate Evelina Kozyra rolled a 240, while Nina Tierney shot a 562 series for Prospect.

Hoffman Estates stayed in first place Wednesday with a 9-0 win over Conant as Alexis Orwat bowled a 230 game for the Hawks, while Allura Magsino added a 225 game.

Lyz White had a 204 game and 554 series for the Cougars.

Jamie Knutsen has been enjoying a stellar season for Elk Grove. She followed up last week's 707 series, the second best in the MSL this year, with a solid 211 Game 2 against Buffalo Grove on Wednesday.

Grenadiers coach Robert Ray said he appreciates the senior's effort.

"She's been outstanding this season," said Ray of Knutsen. "She's a hard worker and she came into the year focused. She just bowls.

"There's a term called a gym rat, and I'd say Jamie is a bowling alley rat. She's a workaholic and she loves the game. I can't say enough good things about her. She's a coach on the floor, and she's as good a person outside of the lanes as she is on the lanes, which is important."

For her part, Knutsen said that she "started slow this year, but gradually picked it up.

"I just come out and expect do to my best," said the senior.

Rachel Gore fired a 550 series for the Grens, but it wasn't enough to hold of BG as the Bison won 9-0.

Riley Donahue had a 620 series for BG (235 game), while teammate Rebecca Howard rolled a 248 game enroute to a 619 series.

Barrington and Fremd came into play tied for third place in conference, but the Vikings outpointed the Fillies 9-0 on the strength of a 558 series from Piper Miles.

Wheeling scored a 7-2 victory over Hersey behind Karsyn Burgess (213 game, 555 series), while Maddie Ritter led the Huskies with a 512.

Rolling Meadows boasts an all-senior starting lineup this year, and they improved to a record of 47-25 overall with a straight-game win over Palatine.

"Win or lose, we're a team," said Mustangs senior anchor bowler Brooke Edwards, who led the way Wednesday with a 512 series.

"It makes me a little upset to think that after this season is over I won't be a part of the team," said Edwards, "but I'm sure we'll all stick together even after (graduation)."

Meadows coach Karen Ellingsworth has been very impressed with her squad this year.

"They're a great group," said Ellingsworth. "They respect the game and they respect all of the teams they play against."

"This happens sometimes," added the Meadows coach of having an all-senior lineup. "You go through the cycle, and then the young kids come up and start from scratch. They have to learn. Next year might be a rebuilding season but then in a couple of years we'll be at full capability."