Girls bowling: Grayslake North earns NLCC triumph

It's been a competitive bowling season for the girls at Grayslake North, who were able to roll to another Northern Lake County Conference title on Friday at 3-D Bowl in Island Lake.

The Knights posted a 6-game score of 5,622, ahead of Antioch 5,376 in the 8-team field. Samantha Knab of Antioch was the conference individual champion with 1,383, just ahead of Wauconda's Jasmine McKeel (1,363).

Grayslake North won the regular-season dual meets against Antioch and produced an all-around team effort on Friday.

"They have continued to improve work together to bowl as a team rather than five individuals," Grayslake North coach Laura Bertermann said. "Going undefeated in conference was a great accomplishment. Winning today on varsity makes me so proud of the successful program we have developed at Grayslake North."

The Knights were able to bowl five of the six games in the 900s, and were close to reach the 1,000 mark.

Gaby Silva led the way with a 1,290 and finished third overall. The other contributors were Taylor Bell (1,161), Emily Mack (1,120), Melissa Barnett (1,025), Karissa Ackerman (550, three games) and Sydney Swiercz (476, three games).

Knab finished strong, with games of 267 and 234, to take the top spot. The senior managed to roll all six of her games in the 200s to win her first first varsity tournament after more than her fair share of seconds and thirds.

"This gives me a lot of confidence going into the regional and sectional," Knab said. "I just try tp pick up my spares and stay positive."

McKeel started the day throwing a 288 game, opening it with 10 straight strikes. She followed up with a 266 and a 212 for a 766 series.