O’FALLON – History was achieved for our area over the weekend as Minooka claimed second place and Joliet West placed third in the state bowling finals held at St. Clair Bowl.
It was not only the first state trophies for each school, but it was the first time in the history of the sport that our area claimed two of the three state trophies in the same season.
The Indians previous best finish was fourth in 2013, and this was the first year the Tigers qualified to bowl Saturday. Last year, they placed 14th and didn’t make the top 12 to bowl on the second day.
Machesney Park Harlem won with a two-day total of 12,851, with Minooka rolling a 12,714 and West a 12,614.
Lockport placed 11th with Lincoln-Way West 14th and Lincoln-Way Central 21st.
The Indians were in 14th place after the first two of six Friday games and then began their charge. The third game produced a team score of 1,135, which moved the Indians into the eighth spot heading into the afternoon and after an 1,176 fifth game, Minooka jumped to first and then ended the Friday session in second place. The also had the highest afternoon three-game score (3,218) in the field.
The Indians never wavered Saturday and did not relinquish the runner-up spot.
“It was exciting,” Minooka coach Derrick Rapsky said. “We were consistent in all 12 games, and that is something I’ve talked to this team about. The fifth game today (Saturday) we bowled very well and had a big lead on Harlem, but give them credit as they came back and beat us by eight pins, and that is why they are the champs.
“I’m so happy to be bring home a trophy, and these two days are really hard to put into words. We have been close before, but to actually be in contention to win it all was special. I’ve said all along that this was a special team, and these kids battled for two days, every game.
The Indians were led by the All-State performance of freshman Efrain Soto, who finished fifth with a 2,710. The top 12 finishers gain All-State status. Senior Drew Toke placed 17th with freshman Brandon Caruso in 35th, senior Jeremy Serchuk in 46 and senior Tim Frakes in 69th.
“Efrain was one of only two freshman to make All-State, and he has been as hot as anyone in the last month of the season,” Rapsky said.
The Tigers struggled early Friday and was in 21st place after the first game, but a 1,209 third game, the best game of anyone over the two days, propelled them into the top five. West then bowled the second best score Saturday, only behind Harlem, and moved into the important third place to secure a team trophy.
“After that first game, I told the boys not to panic and stay focused,” West coach Reginald Lee said. “We found that mark and we really started to bowl together as a team. [On] Friday night, we just talked about staying consistent on Saturday and that if we did that, things would take care of themselves.
“This team really matured together, and the experience they got last year helped them so much this time. I told them that we have prepared for this for the past two seasons. It’s there. Now just go out and take it. I also mentioned to enjoy this moment, remember everything about it because we want to have that felling again in the future.”
The Tigers also had an All-State performer as senior Michael Grether finished 12th (2,617). He was followed by juniors Lucas Pirc (17th), Kyle Siksta (30th), Julian Ramos (37th) and Joey Lizzio (49th).
“That was a big accomplishment for Michael,” Lee said. “He really grinded it out in the later games because of the lanes and threw great balls, but didn’t get any breaks. I’m so happy for him, especially being a senior.”
Lockport was led by the 42nd-place finish of senior Jimmy Rozhon. Other area individual finishers were Josh Edgin of Lincoln-Way East, as the senior finished 7th (2,674) to earn All-State honors. Michael Nork from Lincoln-Way West was 26th and teammate Cameron Jablonski placed 54th.
Plainfield South’s Christian Knowlton was 33rd, with Ryan Arens from Plainfield Central 52nd and Tommy Martini of Lincoln-Way Central 60th.