Judge-ment day: Schaumburg takes title

Tied with Elk Grove heading into the final game of Saturday's Mid-Suburban League girls bowling championship, Schaumburg needed someone to step up and help defend its title.

Here come the Judge.

Saxons senior Kelly Judge, that is, who rolled a meet-high 1,315 series, including a 237 in the sixth game as Schaumburg edged the Grenadiers170-167 to win the MSL championship for the second consecutive year.

Judge's stellar series was 78 pins better than her closest competitor, Katia Smith of Rolling Meadows (1,237).

The Saxons came into the day leading the Grens by only 1 point, but had enough at the end to hold off their rivals even though Elk Grove (5,752) edged Schaumburg (5,745) in total pin count for the meet.

"I was nervous, but it was exciting," said Judge, who is in her first full year on varsity. "We were behind Elk Grove all day, but we pulled it out and the end."

Schaumburg junior Jodi Gawlik took home the MSL individual title with a cumulative average of 215.77.

"That last game was thrilling," said the junior of the head-to-head final matchup with Elk Grove. "Kelly bowled amazing - she was just stringing strikes together - and so did Cheryl (Halas). I wasn't at my best today, but my teammates picked me up."

"The league was so competitive this year," said Schaumburg coach Mark Kelly, "that the girls knew every time out they had to bring their best."

Elk Grove sophomores Tedra Tado (1230) and Ashley Dolce (1188) rolled the third- and fourth-best series of the day, and Dolce rolled the meet's top game (246).

Prospect finished in third place in the team race while Hoffman Estates was fourth.

Judge rolled games of 236 and 234 in addition to her finale of 237; The Mustangs' Smith shot a 237; Carina Balan of Hersey and Shannon Hallberg of Conant both rolled a 236; while Liz Saffold of the Hawks and Ashley Cramer of Palatine each had a 235 game.

Elk Grove junior Caerlina Williams completed an oustanding regular-season campaign, finishing second in the overall individual race.

"We had a pretty good season," said Williams. "I think if we bowl as well as we did today next week (at sectionals), we've got a good chance to make it downstate."

Elk Grove coach Kim Sander agreed.

"It's a little disappointing," said Sander, "but we had a great season - and it starts over next week at sectionals."