Glenbrook North boys bowlers headed to state finals

Glenbrook North High School's boys bowling team, coached by Todd Rubin, will make its sixth appearance at the Illinois High School Association state finals this weekend in O'Fallon.

The Spartans make their first appearance at St. Clair Bowl since 2019. They're among 24 teams, including defending state champion Machesney Park Harlem, that advanced out of four sectionals.

Glenbrook North, led in both playoff rounds by junior Kai Nitzschke, improved from the regional to sectional levels. The Spartans placed third at their own regional Jan. 14 at River Rand Bowling Center in Des Plaines. Nitzschke scored a 1215, followed by sophomore Nick Sachs at 1200.

The next week Glenbrook North placed second, 100 pins behind Reavis' 6338, at the IC Catholic sectional at Bowlero in Glendale Heights. Nitzschke bowled a 1389 followed by Josh Sachs, Nick's twin brother, at 1270.

Illustrating the fickle nature of sport, after winning the Glenbrook North regional, New Trier was unable to make it out of the IC Catholic sectional.

In both regional and sectional play, Rubin gave eight bowlers time to compete on the lanes, charitable and rare.

Heading to the state finals Friday, Jan. 27, and aiming to become one of the 12 final teams bowling on Saturday, are Nitzschke, Nick Sachs, Josh Sachs, freshman Asher Harris, and seniors Jake Battaglia, Caleb Cheyney, Matt Luerssen and Steven Ulrich.