Record pinfall for Prospect

The Prospect girls bowling team came back from the holiday break in record-setting fashion.

Returning to Mid-Suburban League competition after a three-week layoff, the Knights recorded their best-ever single game team pinfall of 1,155 in the third game of Thursday night's victory over Elk Grove.

Schaumburg stayed in first place in the league standings with a win over Conant. In other action, Hoffman Estates swept by Hersey, Rolling Meadows defeated Wheeling and Buffalo Grove won over Palatine.

The Fremd-Barrington match was postponed as District 220 schools closed early, prohibiting any after-school activities.

Prospect's total pinfall of 3,074 at Rolling Meadows Lanes was tops in the MSL so far this year, and the 7-2 win over the second-place Grens was especially sweet for Knights senior Holly Fields.

Fields, who rolled a meet high 676 series (255 game), is friends with many of the Grens players and has spent lots of time over the years practicing at Elk Grove Lanes.

"Those are my girls," said Fields of her friendly rivals, "and my goal was to come out tonight focused and show them how competitive we can be."

Knights junior Whitney Schmidt, who had the evening's best game (256), couldn't agree more.

"We were so focused tonight," said Schmidt. "My teammates bowled their hearts out, and I'm so proud of them - they really stepped up."

Another team to step to the forefront was Hoffman Estates. The Hawks' 9-0 win over Hersey saw them move into fourth place in the MSL, only 5 points behind Prospect.

Hawks senior Veronica Varga led the way with a 657 series (242 game), while juniors LIz Saffold (605) and Kailey Schlosser (590) provided lots of support.

"We have one goal - making it to state," said Saffold. "We're working as hard as we possibly can."

Hoffman has been to the state tourney five straight years, including the 2006 championship season, and junior Kara Hartel said the Hawks strong bond may lead to a sixth consecutive trip.

"We're a very close team," said Hartel. "All the girls are really good friends."

MSL average leader Jodi Gawlik rolled a 639 series in Schaumburg's 7-2 win over Conant, while Cougars senior Brianna Caroo finished with a 605.

Rolling Meadows was led by Katia Smith in the Mustangs' 7-2 victory over Wheeling, while Buffalo Grove senior Deanna Guyton shot 3 games over 200 to lead the surging Bison to a 7-2 win over Palatine and a .500 record at 36-36.

"We've been bowling really well," said Guyton. "I'm so proud of everyone."