Girls bowling: Lakes' Kiddle, Wauconda's McKeel survive first day at state

Aubrey Kiddle of Lakes and Wauconda's Jasmine McKeel knocked their way into the second day of competition at the girls state bowling tournament at Cherry Bowl in Rockford on Friday.

Kiddle, making her first trip to state, had to recover after a disappointing opening game, but then had 7 straight strikes opening game two for a 258 and followed up with a 224 for a morning set of 613. She then tossed games of 197, 180 and 225 for a 602 and 1,215 over the six games, which has her in 27th place overall.

"I was just a few pins away of making it last year," Kiddle said. "Being at state, it's so amazing and it's what I've worked for all season. It's definitely paid off for me."

Rolling against the best bowlers in the state also has given Kiddle a different view of the competition.

"It's a different environment in the bowling alley and bowling against the best bowlers in the state," she said. "I had to get the jitters out and come back to bowl better. Once I did that, I was a lot more calm. I'm hoping to have a good second day, just pick up my spares and execute my first shots. I just want to take it one shot at a time."

McKeel will also be rolling on Saturday after throwing an 1,143 series. She had a 562 and a 581 with high games of 237, 202 and 200.

Antioch has been to state over the last couple of years and has made the second day but on Friday, the Sequoits finished in 23rd place with 5,018 pins.

"We just didn't hit our targets," Antioch coach Phil Lindberg said. "It was one of those days. I think we'll bounce back next year."

Alyssa Olson led Antioch with 1,063 while the Sequoits' other bowlers were Allison Kane (1,048), Lynn Michalec (1,041), Alyssa Tanner (997) Riley Robison (324, 2 games), Maya Schon (287, 2 games), Ashley Lubkeman (139) and Kristi Schon (129).

Haylie Frick of Schaumburg is the tournament leader with 1,348 pins over the first 6 games.

Lockport leads the team competition with a 6-game total of 6,070. Belleville East is second (6,001) and Harlem third (5,976).