Barrington set to join Mid-Suburban bowling teams
Nearly 20 years ago, Hoffman Estates joined the Mid-Suburban League in girls bowling, making it a 10-team conference.
Nine years ago, a group of girls asked Buffalo Grove's girls athletic coordinator Marianne Mendoza if they could form a team and join the MSL.
Mendoza agreed, and two years later, Jean Tripam led her team to the state meet in Rockford.
That gave the conference 11 teams, and for the past nine seasons, the league ran a schedule that included a team with a bye week because of the odd number.
Barrington, the one holdout, nearly started a team a few years ago but decided not to continue the process.
That has all changed with the announcement from Barrington athletic director Mike Obsuszt that the school will join the bowling league next season, giving the MSL 12 teams.
"Barrington will have a bowling team next year," Obsuszt said. "The district OK'd it."
The Fillies are trying to make arrangements to bowl their dual meets at either Deer Park or Arlington, but all of their conference meets will be held at AMF Lanes in Rolling Meadows.
Barrington has had a bowling club for a number of years.
As for the coach of the new varsity sport, Obsuszt said, "I just opened the position, so I don't know. I think I'll have no trouble finding coaches.
"We've been taking a survey the last couple of years," he said. "There's been a lot of interest (in forming a team). Now we've got to keep it going. I think it's going to be thrilling to compete in the MSL."
As for the loss of the bye week, it will belong to Barrington next year.
"Their schedule will basically be the bye week," said Greg Troyer, head bowling coach at Prospect and MSL statistician. "They will bowl in all (MSL) meets. Now, teams had been getting 9 points for winning a conference meet plus the three bonus points for highest score.
"Now you'll win 11 points for a conference win and there will be 99 points available at the MSL meet instead of 90."
As for the competitive side, Troyer said, "I think it will be good (to have 12 teams). There's more competition and more girls bowling."