New Waubonsie Valley group, same state goal

Asked if Waubonsie Valley had a shot at a third straight girls state bowling championship this weekend in Rockford, Warriors coach Marty Miller laughed.

"That's such a tough one," he said. "Everybody's graduated."

Yes, superstar Julia Bond and others such as Rachel Felton, Sara Barsotti and Mariana Guerrieri from Waubonsie's 2013 and 2014 winners have moved on. But not everyone is gone.

Though Serenity Quinteros, Mirica Yancey and Angelica Hernandez are sophomores and alternate Savannah Lemmons is a mere freshman, state-tested juniors Violet Kirk and Veronica Dreyfus plus the Warriors' pedigree and coaching were enough to earn a No. 13 preseason tab by Illinois Bowling.net.

After Waubonsie trailed only Oswego East at the Feb. 14 Plainfield Central sectional, the repeat champs enter Rockford's Cherry Bowl ranked No. 2. Three-time state champion Lockport is No. 1.

"At one time or another throughout the season, I've seen all of them just bowl out of their minds," said Miller, who in off-season training added 40 points to Quintero's average, 60 to Yancey's. Hernandez's conference average went from 118 in 2013-14 to 196 this season.

"Any one of my three sophomores could surprise some people and make a statement," Martin said. "Or they could do it all at the same time. If we do that, then we'll be talking."

As sophomores, Kirk and Dreyfus bowled split series on the varsity, including at state where they combined to bowl six games of at least 220. Kirk bowled the morning frames, Dreyfus the afternoon series.

Their experience lends maturity and calm, said Kirk, the team captain.

"I wouldn't say it's too much of a surprise," said Kirk, who against Upstate Eight Conference foes averaged 208 to Dreyfus' 210.

"It really shows how hard we've worked," Kirk said. "I'm really excited to go back, especially with how young a team we are, and how we showed people how hard we worked to get where we're at."

In addition to knowing girls from West Aurora's first downstate squad in nine years, Waubonsie Valley will compete in the 24-team race with York and Lake Park from DuPage County. The Lake Park Lancers, led by Hinsdale South sectional champion Samantha Sztym, went from unranked to No. 11 heading downstate.

Additionally, Addison Trail's Amanda Jastrzebski, Metea Valley's Jordan Newham and Hinsdale Central's Kelly DeJong will compete as individuals.

"I think we have a pretty good chance," Kirk said. "We just have to keep our attitudes up and hit our targets and keep doing what we do, and execute what we do in practice every day - shoot at spares and targets."

Fast thinker

Congratulations to Neuqua Valley senior track athlete Zac Espinosa, announced on Tuesday as one of 26 student athletes on the Illinois High School Association All-State Academic Team. The Stanford-bound sprinter, who earned two Class 4A all-state medals last spring, joins former Wildcats honorees Nick Bushelle and Chris Derrick.

Honorable-mention selections include Erin Maloney of IC Catholic Prep; Jenna Brambora of Glenbard South; Gabrielle Rush of Hinsdale Central; and Brady McLaughlin of Benet.

The belt

To follow up last week's item, on Feb. 14 Benet graduate and professional boxer Mike Lee defeated Gary Tapusoa by a second-round technical knockout to claim the United Boxing Federation All Americas Cruiserweight title.

As the television announcer said, "Mike Lee jumped on him and kind of before the seats were warmed up he had this guy in a lot of trouble."

At Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York, Lee, 27, quickly established an advantage in the first of a scheduled six-rounder for the vacant UBF title.

In the second round he knocked down Tapusoa three times. Improving to 14-0 with 8 knockouts in his career, Lee feinted a left then unloaded a fearsome right that sent the former mixed martial arts fighter to the canvas. Referee Johnny Callas stopped the fight at 2:08 of the second round.

Brother vs. brother

On Saturday, Glenbard West 2007 graduate Brandon Venson and kid brother Bryant, a 2009 Hilltoppers grad, will line up on opposite sidelines in a Central Plains Indoor Football League exhibition game in Dodge City, Kansas.

"I think it is going to be an awesome experience for both of them to play against each other for the first time ever," said their mother, Tammie Byrd, part of a 30-person Venson fan club headed to the game.

"They are excited to be on the regular field together even though the only time will be on special teams."

Brandon Venson, who had a tryout with the Bears and the Toronto Argonauts after coming out of Illinois State, is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound receiver for the Dodge City Law.

Bryant Venson is a 5-9, 205-pound running back for the 4-State Fusion. Last season the Missouri Southern graduate was named MVP of the CPFL championship game, capping a 13-0 season.

"it may not be the NFL or the like, but it is a professional arena team and they are having fun at what they are doing and getting paid to do what they love," Byrd said. "I could not ask for anything better for my sons."

Winning

Wheaton Academy boys basketball coach Pete Froedden admits it's been a "tough season for the Warriors," who lost their 20th game Tuesday.

No season is too tough for charity, which Wheaton Academy will prove in a "Hoops for MS" fundraiser Feb. 24 at their last regular-season game hosting Glenbard South.

Background: One night last fall Froedden woke up at about 3 a.m. and turned on the television. He was brought to tears by an ESPN film called "Catching Kayla," the story of Kayla Montgomery, a North Carolina high school distance runner who in 2010 had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Froedden showed his team the program; "They we pretty attached to the story," he said.

A month later Froedden was watching a show that also highlighted Montgomery. Apparently Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, was the sole Division I program to offer her a scholarship.

A budding perfect-world scenario, Froedden had come to Wheaton Academy after five years as an assistant coach for Lipscomb's men's basketball team. And the Nashville area was the Warriors' destination for their annual January Winterim trip of studies, community service, team bonding, sightseeing and some basketball thrown in.

Using his contacts, Froedden set up a meeting with Montgomery, who shared the Fightin' Bison award as Lipscomb's toughest female cross country runner this fall as a freshman.

"It was super-impactful and her spirit was unbelievable," Froedden said.

Embodying the team's motto of "Sacrifice, Service and Selflessness," Warriors seniors Christian Smith, Jake Lindstedt, Evan Williams and Bryce Sandberg decided to use that last regular-season game as an opportunity to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They designed a nifty "Hoops for MS" long-sleeved T-shirt and proceeds from shirt sales will be donated in Montgomery's name.

It's a big win in an otherwise tough season.

"I think sometimes it gives you a chance to back up and take time and figure out what's really important in life," Froedden said of seasons like this. "And most times when you really analyze it, it's not whether you win or lose a basketball game."

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

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