Boys bowling: Scouting the 2021-2022 season in Lake County
GrantCoach: Tim Viscioni (6th year)
Top returning bowlers: Bryan Garcia Sr. (175 avg.), Mateo Ayers Jr. (176), Josh Hawkins Jr. (210), David Hernandez Jr. (176), Jake Siong Jr. (178),
Top new bowlers: Nate Alvarez Sr. (168), Ahren Barnickel So. (168), Ryan Cabral Fr. (165).
Worth noting: Grant is already rolling in the opening weeks to new levels as a team. Junior Josh Hawkins was the first Bulldogs boys bowler to throw a perfect game of 300. Grant should have good roll going into the state series. "We want to qualify as a team in sectionals this year," Grant coach Tim Viscioni said. "We're also extremely excited for a full in-person year. Hopefully, it will continue all season."
Grayslake NorthCoach: Greg Geiger (10th year)
Top returning bowlers: Peyton Jacobs Sr. (210), Chris Lantman Sr. (145), Dylan Van Zevl Sr. (160), Levi Adams Jr. (173), Nate Holton Jr. (190), Lucas Adams So. (173).
Top new bowlers: Troy Hensley So. (155)
Worth noting: Grayslake North is still waiting to be a part of a conference with more boys bowling teams being added in the Northern Lake County Conference. Still, the Knights have built a team that continues to get better with each season and would like to knock its way into the postseason. They do have some experience back with Payton Jacobs rolling well over 200. Levi Adams, Nate Holton and Lucas Adams will add to the team. "Since we are not a conference sport our only focus is on regionals and qualifying a team out to sectionals," Grayslake North coach Greg Geiger said. "We have started out average but in order for us to achieve our goal we need to improve our individual averages. Having a full season, especially of our tournament schedule, is huge. We had quite a bit of potential last year but didn't have anything to compete for. Now that we are back, we can refocus and get back at it."
Grayslake Central Coach: Bryan Dovichi (7th season)
Last season's record: 6-2
Top returning bowlers: Jaeger Breault Sr. (183), Joaquin Feria Sr. (182), Caleb Jasper Sr. (175), Luca Maravola St. (184), Tyler Neumann Sr. (181), Jaydin Kante Jr. (195), Presley Reiner Jr. (180), James Weber Jr. (191), Jacob Redker So. (194).
Top new bowlers: Chris Weber So. (140), Cole Olson Fr. (135), Jackson Rowe Fr. (125).
Worth noting: Grayslake Central has many bowlers that are ready for a good run and could go far. "My expectations for the season are to be a top contender in our regional and sectional," Grayslake Central coach Bryan Dovichi said. "Our regional and sectional are incredibly competitive and it will surely be a challenge. But our boys have had their eyes set on playoff bowling for quite some time now. I'm so excited for the boys to be competing again. Kids need this competition and something to look forward. Not only does this help them on the lanes but it helps them in the classroom too."
Lake Zurich Coach: PJ Bregenzer (first year)
Top returning bowlers: Jack Kelly Jr. (196), Nate Krzeminski Jr. (161), Ryan Paul (169), So. TJ Czabaj (207)
Worth noting: Lake Zurich has a new coach on board this year. The Bears still have bowlers back from last year with experience. Sophomore TJ Czabaj leads the way with a 207 average. Juniors Jack Kelly, Nate Krzeminski and Ryan Paul also return. There are also some new bowlers that will add to the team. "Our goal is still to win the North Suburban Conference and win the regional," coach PJ Bregenzer said. "We're happy that we have a full season ahead of us and a postseason this year."
Libertyville Coach: Robert Sweno (9th year)
Last season's record: 3-7
Top returning bowlers: Joey Frega, Sr, Dave Gilson Sr, Grant Keriazakos Sr, Vaughn Kator Sr, Mar Moss Sr, Ryan Kaputa Jr, Luke Marx Jr, Antonio Oliverli Jr, Jack Rendl Jr, Sam Sweitzer Jr, CJ Villani Jr, Andrew Fouts So, Alex Harding So, Tarun Movva So.
Top new bowlers: Jack Campbell Jr, George Hanbury Fr, Charlie Imm Fr, Gavin Kelly Fr, Carson Leighton Fr, Andrew Schickler Fr.
Worth noting: Getting far in conference, tournaments and the postseason are Libertyville's goals this season. Plenty of returning bowlers will be rolling with experience. "The Wildcats have a very experienced and deep roster this year with 11 upperclassmen, most of which have varsity experience," Libertyville coach Robert Sweno said. "Many of them have worked hard over the last few years both in season and out of season to get them to this point. They have set some lofty goals in hopes of being the school's first NSC Conference champions, IHSA regional winner, and ultimately a team state qualifier. It's very exciting to be bowling in person again. The first few matches and tournaments have reminded us how fun this sport is. We are looking forward to a season full of matches and tournaments."
MundeleinCoach: Chris Sweno (4th year)
Last season: third in NSC
Top returning bowlers: Sam Gottfried Jr. (205), Andrew Hampsey (201), Myles Kruger Jr. (180)
Top new bowlers: Shawn Mastandrea Fr. (176), Winston Petri Fr. (220).
Worth noting: Mundelein will key on some experience back this year with juniors Sam Gottfried, Andrew Hampsey and Miles Kruger. The Mustangs have a talented freshman in Winston Petri, who averages 220. "We want to win the conference and make it to the sectional as a team," Mundelein coach Chris Sweno said. "Our guys will have to stay focused, pick up the makable spares, and our four to five bowlers will have to step up. We're just glad to be back and have our bowlers compete again. It will be nice to have a postseason back."
StevensonCoach: Cody Mathias (7th year)
Last season's record: (13-0, NSC champion)
Top returning bowlers: Ender Starr Jr. (215)
Top new bowlers: Brandon Kunik Sr. (170), Matthew McGowan Sr. (162) Jacob Sroka Sr. (190), Eric Vondrak Sr. (185) Jackson Sher So. (175).
Worth noting: Stevenson could have had a run at state last season. The Patriots return Ender Starr to lead the team this year. The Patriots have other bowlers ready to step in and be a competitive team in the NSC and in the postseason. "This year we have some new faces that will be in our lineup," Stevenson coach Cody Mathias said. "Most have never seen a match with last year being all virtual and for a few it has been two years since the last in-person match. Our goal is to get everyone adjusted to matches and tournaments again and getting better each week. Our goal is to also compete for a conference championship as well as the state playoff series."
WarrenCoach: Jim Voutiritsas (7th year)
Last season's record: 2nd in NSC
Top returning bowlers: Jarrett Smith Sr. (212), Joseph Smith Sr, (195), Quron Jones So. (215),
Top new bowlers: Mason Tokarz-Derham Sr. (190). Colby Kachurek Jr. (175), Aidan Porreca So. (156)
Worth noting: Warren has a number of returning bowlers with experience, led buy Jarret and Joseph Smith, along with Quron Jones and new bowler Mason Tokarz-Derham. The Blue Devils also have others ready to help out a team that can contend with the rest of the NSC. "Our expectations are to be competitive in the North Suburban Conference this year," Warren coach Jim Voutiritsas said. "It's great to be back as close to be normal this season."
Vernon Hills Coach: Bill Spigner (second year)
Last season: First place in Central Suburban League
Top returning bowlers: Joseph Napierkowski Sr. (220), Aditya Sabharwal Sr. (180), Will Hein Jr. (170), Seth Mick Jr. (190), James Jarzabek Jr. (175), Ryan Chin So. (165), CJ Mendoza So. (180)
Top new bowlers: Zach Shoemaker Fr. (170).
Worth noting: Bill Spigner enters his 19th year coaching and took over for longtime coach Ron Long last year. Spigner has a history of bowling including being a member of seven hall-of-fames including the United States Bowling Congress along with bowling in the Professional Bowling Association. He's been involved with the success of the boys' bowling team at Vernon Hills that has made it to the state tournament four times and has finished second three times and third once. This season, the Cougars are trying to get back to where they ended in the runner-up spot in 2019, but will have a number of younger bowlers. Leading the way will be Joseph Napierkowski, who finished 19th in state as a sophomore, but ended last season with an impressive 220 average. "We will be rebuilding this year," Spigner said. "Our goal is still to win the conference. It's really nice to be back to almost normal."