Girls bowling: Schaumburg, Kylie Frick make it back-to-back MSL titles
Winning the Mid-Suburban League girls bowling championship is an outstanding achievement.
To do it two years in a row is something special.
Saturday afternoon at Arlington Lanes, it was déjà vu all over again for Schaumburg and Kylie Frick.
The Saxons came into the MSL tourney tied with West champs Conant, as both had 87-12 records in league play.
But Schaumburg outpointed the Cougars at Arlington to take the crown and Frick, a senior, won the individual title for the second straight year.
Frick rolled a 266 game Saturday to boost her team's success, and her plus-203 average put her at the top of the list again.
"This is awesome," said Frick. "We have six seniors on our team and we want to make the best of every single moment we have together.
"We're just trying to live in the moment. This team is so incredible, and we're so lucky to be as successful as we are. We wanted to keep the same momentum as we had last year and carry it over to this year, and just do the best we can and not look too far in advance."
Conant finished second, led by super sophomore Jemma Skweres.
All Skweres did this season was finish second in average at 202.43; roll the top game of the year, a 269; and finish with the top series of the season (692).
"She's a great kid," said Conant coach Jennifer Mikrut of Skweres. "She works hard and throws a great ball. She's got a great attitude - she's hard on herself, but she never gets down on herself."
For her part, Skweres was more focused on team goals than individual honors.
"I love the accomplishments this team has made," she said. "We pushed through together, and it's just a great season.
"I approached this year as 'we got this,' " added Skweres. "As a team, we can do anything. It feels really good especially because there are some many great bowlers out here. I just try to approach everything with a positive attitude."
Buffalo Grove won the MSL East this year, and Bison leader Rebecca Howard finished third overall in average in leading BG to a third place team finish overall.
Gina Lenoci of the Saxons was fourth individually on the year.
"The chemistry we have this season is incredible," said Lenoci, who had a 248 top game Saturday. "We were close last year and we've carried that on to this year, and that's why we continue to achieve what we have.
"It's just more motivation," added Lenoci of the Saxons' quest to repeat this season. "I just knew that this was my last year and I tried to go out and give it everything I had."
Emilie St. Claire from Hoffman Estates was fifth overall; Haylie Frick of Schaumburg finished sixth and rounding out the top 10 in average were Jessica Donovan of Hoffman Estates, Elizabeth White from Conant, Jenica Baron of Barrington and Sara Clay of Buffalo Grove.
Brianna Salcedo of Barrington fired the top game of the tourney, a 268.
"I had to figure out my line," said the senior, a four-year varsity player. "I kind of knew what the patterns were going to be from previous weeks.
"I never really thought about how good the game was going to be going into it," added Salcedo. "I just kept doing what I have been doing, because it's been working. I'm just really happy. I've been working really hard in the second half of the season, and my scores have been improving."
For the tourney-winning Saxons, Lily Meck pitched in with games of 214 and 213 Saturday. Haylie Frick shot a 218 and Evelina Kozrya rolled a 211.
"The team really came together this year," said first-year Schaumburg coach John Slavich. "Kylie, Gina and Haylie had great years, but our other players all stepped up too and they all had their own moments in the sun. It was really great to see."