Boys bowling: Verrnon Hills claims regional crown

Vernon Hills' boys bowling team has enjoyed lengthy postseason runs before, and the Cougars could be gearing up for another.

Postseason success is new for Libertyville, which will roll in a sectional for the first time. Lake Zurich and Stevenson are moving on too.

Vernon Hills posted the top team score of 6,072 in its own regional Saturday at Brunswick Zone Hawthorn Lanes in Vernon Hills. Libertyville captured second (5,947), Lake Zurich took third (5,937) and Stevenson was fourth (5,795). All four team will compete in next Saturay's DeKalb sectional at Mardi Gras Lanes in DeKalb.

"We bowled great," said Vernon Hills coach Ron Long, whose Cougars finished second in the state in both 2011 and 2012. "We have a revamped team basically over last year, a lot of new bowlers. We got them ready in a hurry. They're just good athletes and have learned well."

Nick McNamara led the way for Vernon Hills with a 1,278 total over the six games. The Cougars also got contributions from Jacob Gates (1,196, Logan Coty (958, five games), Jacob Olive (859, four games), Brandon Cervantes (819, four games), Derek Jarrell (762, four games) and Cooper Guilliaume (200, one game).

Reaching the sectional was something Libertyville set as a goal.

"It's pretty exciting for us," Wildcats coach Robert Sweno said. "It was one of our biggest goals this season. We had a lot of off-season work, meets and invitationals that have helped us. They took the necessary steps with a drill base to make it happen."

Libertyville junior Daniel Chmura took top honors in the regional, rolling a 1,302, including a high game of 287. His teammate, sophomore Alex Nelson, was the runner-up with a 1,298.

"It was a very good experience," Chmura said. "We have a great coaching staff and teammates that support each other. I'm just out there to do the best I can. We have a lot of confidence with our team."

Henry Kolterman (1,198), Daniel Kaputa (1,118) and Bryce Pinsel (1,031) also delivered on the lanes for Libertyville.

Trevor Madura was the top Lake Zurich bowler with a 1,276. The Bears' other contributors included Eric Reusch (1,250), Jason Morrison (1,187), Billy Schroeder (1,173), Brett Schnur (882, five games) and Joey Kovanda (169, one game).

Stevenson was led by Lucas Pinkus, who rolled a 1,291. Benjamin Reis (1,196), Joey Gluck (1,167), Nicolas Sternes (1,158), Ryan Lerman (692, four games), Kerry Mueller (166, one game) and Marcus Engstrom (125, one game) also helped the Patriots advance.

Mundelein had a pair of individual qualifiers in Owen Jones (1,249) and Nicolas Prochnow (1,207).

"It's really crazy. I wasn't expecting it," said Jones, a freshman whose brother Ryan reach the sectional three years ago. "I just managed to pull through. There were a lot of good bowlers out there. I'm looking forward to another week of practice and am hoping for the best."

Also advancing were Deerfield's Joe Laurich (1,240), Grayslake Central's Greg Silverman (1,219), Deerfield's Ben Cortes-Ferrie (1,219), McHenry's Wyatt Glave (1,197), Grant's Jason Patel (1,187), Johnsburg's Tony Maurtaugh (1,171), Grayslake Central's Charlie Loeschum (1,163) and McHenry's Ryan Hicks (1,138).