RICHTON PARK – Advancement was the key word of the day at the Rich East Regional for girls bowling, but it was exciting down to the final game.
Ten pins separated Minooka, Lincoln-Way West and Joliet West heading into the fifth game. The Warriors took a four-pin lead over Minooka going into the final game with Joliet West 51 pins back.
Minooka came back in the sixth game and won the title with a score of 5,705.
Lincoln-Way West finished second (5,684), Joliet West took third (5,655) and Lincoln-Way North (5,141) was the final qualifer. Joliet Central (4,731) placed fifth and Lincoln-Way Central (4,698).
“Our mindset is always geared to the end of the season,” Minooka coach Frank Yudzentis said. “The mental approach is the key to improvement during the season. The girls accept that approach, and they stay positive no matter what happens. We were consistent and the girls responded really well. Winning a regional title is nice, but we still have work to do. Nora Russell is the only senior on the team and she is the glue that keeps us all together.”
Russell finished ninth with a score of 1,135.
“This has really been a fun season,” Russell said. “It’s all about staying positive, and we do that as a team. Today, was all about getting to next week. Sure it’s fun to win, but advancing was the goal. I’m proud of this team and the key for us is that one word – positive.”
Gina Russell led the Indians with a fourth-place finish (1,188), followed by Carmella Russell in fifth (1,167), Kristina Sickler in eighth (1,135) and Cheryl Eyman in 15th (1,072).
“This is the postseason and it’s all or nothing right now,” Lincoln-Way West coach Scott Jablonski said. “We started today a little stressed and overwhelmed, but we relaxed and our third game (1067) was the highest all year and the first time we had all five bowlers over 200. This team is the best I have ever coached, as far as chemistry and togetherness. We have set 13 school records and it has been truly a fun year.”
The Warriors were led by individual champion Jessica Schram, who rolled a 1,207.
“I think about my individual score, but as long as it helps the team that is the important factor,” Schram said. “Qualifying as a team is much more important than going as an individual. We have such great chemistry on this team and we really are a team.”
Haley Jablonski finished third (1,191), followed by Deena Haber in 11th (1,127), Ellie Paul in 12th (1,125) and Makayla Turner (1,034) in 19th.
“Today was all about advancing to next week’s sectional,” Joliet West coach Jeff Bailey said. “The lanes were a little tricky and different to start, so we were making adjustments through out the day. They were surprisingly dry to start. Next week, we will be at home for the sectionals and the atmosphere will be familiar and crazy.”
Taylor Bailey led the Tigers with a 1,194 to finish second. She was followed by Gracie Plese in sixth (1,159), Kaylee Zukovich in 10th (1,130), Karlee Barton in 13th (1,121) and Melissa March in 18th (1,051).
“The day got better the more we bowled,” Taylor Bailey said. “We started out a little slow, but we made adjustments. We just needed to push through as a team and get to next week. Staying focused on these lanes will help us next week. This is the last three week run the seniors will have as high school bowlers, and you want to do your best.”
Joliet Central had three individual qualifiers led by the 21st-place finish of Tara Tindall. Elizabeth Reyes and Amber Bailey finished 26th and 27,respectively.
Lincoln-Way Central advanced two, with Hannah Kirby in 22nd and Lizzy Prynn finishing 25th.