Powerhouse Glenbrook North program started with a simple question

Sometimes great ideas start in seemingly innocent ways.

Ten years ago, Glenbrook North journalism and broadcasting teacher Todd Rubin was casually talking to his class about the bowling team at Evanston High School where he coached the frosh/soph golf team.

It just so happened that a couple of kids in his class were into bowling, and they spoke up and said, "Hey, we bowl. What about us? Could we have a program, too?"

That was all it took. Those comments were the spark that lit the match, the "match" that now boasts one of the top bowling programs in the Chicago area. One that just finished the season as CSL co-conference champions and produced the JV outright champions. One that has been to the state finals four times in the past ten years. Not to mention having sent five bowlers on to the collegiate level, with this year's group sure to produce at least one more.

Not too shabby for a program that started with a "Hey, why not us?" just 10 years ago. Rubin, took the kids and initially offered offer to run an intramural program.

"We didn't know what to expect," said Coach Rubin, "and all of a sudden we have a huge group of 50 guys and girls turning out to play. Never knew there was that kind of interest. Everything just kind of grew from there."

In year two, the intramural program continued successfully. But in year three things really kicked off. Near the end of another intramural season, GBN administration asked Coach if the guys wanted to compete in the IHSA state tournament. Huh? An intramural program competing in state competition?

"We didn't even know it was a possibility," said Rubin, "but the rules apparently allowed it, and our kids were thrilled to get to compete at that higher level. So, we entered our top kids in the regionals and ended up winning the whole thing and going to state! After just being an intramural activity! That really got the program going."

Finally, in year four they became an official school team and joined the CSL conference, which now boasts seven teams competing in the sport. Vernon Hills and New Trier are probably the other top teams in the conference, but the Spartans are right there at there atop the heap and one of the teams to beat in the area.

This year has been one of the team's best ever. The Spartans rolled (literally and figuratively) behind senior Jack Klebba, who led the way with a ridiculously consistent 225 average - the highest season average by any bowler at any school in the conference in the eight years of its existence. Klebba is clearly good enough to bowl at the next level and will probably do so.

He had plenty of help, too. Ryan Torf, Tommy Corfield, Jake Battaglia, Kai Nitzschke, Steve Ulrich and Colin Li were the other top bowlers, with Korf finishing third in last weekend's conference meet and freshman future star Nitzschke bowling a perfect 300 game just last week.

That crew and the JV lower levels were nearly unbeatable all season long, a testament to the depth and talent currently in the program.

As for the sport of bowling? Hold the snickers, all you skeptics and naysayers. The game has leapt from the recreational, just-for-fun activity much of us are familiar with to a legitimate competitive high school sport. Skill, athleticism, strength, endurance and mental discipline all become key elements in what has become one of the fastest-growing sports for high schools in Illinois.

"The competitive level and the growth has been amazing since we started, and part of that popularity is because bowling is on TV more and the game is just getting more and more recognition," said Rubin. "Kids want to play and be part of it."

Glenbrook North has both a boys and girls program, and the state tournament now includes regionals and sectionals just to get the state finals (although this year there will be no state tournament due to COVID restrictions). Glenbrook South does not have a program right now, but that could change soon.

Meanwhile the sport continues to evolve.

One of the biggest changes (and this may shock some of the recreational bowlers of my older generation) is the advent of the two-handed technique. Apparently made popular awhile back by star professional Jason Belmonte and a few others, now nearly half of the high school bowlers in the state use the new and improved two-handed technique. I could begin to break it down for you, but instead of me completely confusing you (insert, I don't understand it myself) you would do best to Google it or watch on YouTube.

Remember, though, none of it would have happened if it was not for those early pioneers, or "The Originators" as Coach Rubin likes to call them.

"Yep, they were the key to getting it going," he said, remembering back those ten years. "Their enthusiasm and their early success was what really got the program to where it is today. And they still come back to school at times and talk to the current players, so they have really stayed attached to the program."

That early crew - including Chris Han, Jack Weinstein, Jacob Townsend and Ryan Salzman - are well on their way to their adult lives, no doubt. On to careers, families, obligations, etc. But none of the recent success of the Spartan program would have happened without this group of guys who spoke up and asked, "Hey, why not us?"

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.