Girls bowling: Another first for NSC champ Lake Zurich
A couple of seasons ago, Lake Zurich's girls bowling won a sectional for the first time. The history-minded Bears followed that theme on Friday in claiming the program's first-ever North Suburban Conference title at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan.
The Bears posted the day's best game of 1,052 and nearly broke 1,000 in a few others.
Lake Zurich rolled 5,593 pins in capturing first place over 6 games. Warren was the runner-up at 5,498 and Stevenson took third at 5,431 in the 12-team field.
Individually, Ariel Haith (1,219) and Jamie Bratzke (1,202) of Warren finished in the top two spots.
"We worked for it, even though we didn't win the division," Lake Zurich coach Mel Fox said. "I thought the girls came back. They picked each other up and supported each other. I believe they're peaking right now."
In the final game for the Bears, Amanda Tarlos (1,136) and Alexis Waul (1,194) each had their high games of the day, 232 and 224.
The other bowlers from Lake Zurich were Dana Nelson (1,148), Brittney Pettinger (1,089) and Shannon O'Hara (1,026).
Stevenson won the Lake Division, while Antioch won the Prairie in the dual-meet matches during the season.
Warren finished strong with a 962 game in jumping up to the second spot. The Blue Devils appear to be ready for their own regional next Saturday at Bertrand Lanes in Waukegan.
"The girls did what I asked of them," Warren coach Rich Novak said. "We averaged well as a team, and any other year that would've been a winner here. We still have a lot of work to do for next week, for regionals and sectionals."
Haith bowled consistently for all 6 games, with a high game of 237 after hitting 200 in each of the first three.
"There's a couple of things that I could improve on, but I thought I did pretty well," Haith said. "I thought the morning session was pretty good. If you don't stay consistent, then you can go all over the place. I really haven't finished first in any competition this year - I'm just excited about all of it."
The other Blue Devil bowlers were Kayla Rossi (1,171), Macala Powers (1,030) and Megan Martin (876).
Colleen VanDerMuellen led Stevenson in fifth with 1,182 and a high game of 232. Others contributors for the Patriots were Kaitlyn Rudy (1,138), Xanthe Coulson (1,090), Sam Szura (1,088) and Shu Wang (783).
Diedre Loos was the top Wauconda bowler with 1,179, in sixth place. Taylor Sloan of Lbertyville rolled in the eighth spot with 1,147.