Scouting: Fox Valley area boys bowling
Bartlett
Coach: Tom Bieschke
Top bowlers: Chris Cardwell, Alex Pendzynski, Charlie Struck, Ben Andrade, Nathan Howard, Jeremy Boothe
Outlook: Bartlett rolls into its first season with a boys bowling program prepared to fight. While the high school era has just begun, the Hawks welcome several veteran bowlers to the roster that will quickly make an impact in the history books. At the U-46 Invitational, Jeremy Boothe bowled a game-high 247 en route to a 606 series. Ben Andrade and Charles Struck followed closely behind collecting 591 and 581 series totals respectively. "Our varsity bowlers are showing a lot of potential," said head coach Tom Bieschke. "Some of our guys are rolling 600 plus series while putting up plus 240 scores," Bieschke added. "We're looking forward to the season."
Elgin
Coach: Richard Towry
Top bowlers: Blake Werner, Jake Meyer, Ryan Kviz, Josh Schultz, Alec Smilko, Brett Huisman
Outlook: Among those celebrating an inaugural boys bowling season are the Elgin Maroons. Opposite girls coach Kari Dittmann is Richard Towry at the helm of the boys team. "We are a new team of young bowlers that are looking at this year as a team-building season," said Towry. "We have a small number of league bowlers, and a larger group of new bowlers that look to improve their games as the season progresses." Carrying primarily freshman and sophomores didn't hurt the Maroons a bit at the U-46 Invitational where Ryan Kviz bowled a 633 series to help Elgin to a third place overall finish. Blake Werner, who currently holds a 185 average also cleared 600 bowling a 617 series.
Larkin
Coach: Ken Hall
Top bowlers: Seniors: James Franklin, Justin Kalusa, Jovan Bills; Junior: Joey Rodriguez
Outlook: Ken Hall changes pace to head the boys bowling program in its opening season. On break from the soccer field, the longtime boys and girls soccer coach Hall will take to the lanes to lead the inaugural Royal roll. With a 200 average, senior James Franklin could lead the way for Larkin. "We lack depth, but have some very talented bowlers," said Hall. "These guys have experience bowling in leagues and we have several athletes out from other sports." According to Hall, of the 30-plus guys out for the program, there are several soccer players as well as 6-7 football players. "This is a new thing for me," said Hall. "The first time we got together to bowl, the guys did very well. We would like to be competitive, and have fun."
South Elgin
Coach: Israel Seiter
Top bowlers: Brandon Wenger, Alec Smilko, James Collins, Kyle Johnson, Charlie Viviano, Brett Huisman
Outlook: For South Elgin, the induction of a boys bowling program will hardly seem new to several of those roistered. With three players who already carry 200 plus averages, the Storm will be a force in the Upstate Eight Conference and in the area. "Coming into a new program, I didn't know what to expect," said Storm coach Israel Seiter. "I was pleasantly surprised. A lot of these guys have been bowling in leagues for years, and they know their stuff for sure." The bowling network at South Elgin already extends beyond its players and coaches according to Seiter. "We get a lot of support from the school and from parents which has been very helpful for starting the program. I would like to see us do well at tournaments and in the postseason. The talent we have is amazing, I am impressed with everybody and with our consistency, I hope to see some wins."
Streamwood
Coach: Nichole Lyczak and Anthony Maurice
Top bowlers: Seniors: Matt Cizowski, Bobby Trimarco; Junior: Radly Gamo; Sophomores: Steven Welch, Alex Woodrich; Freshman: Josh Reyes
Outlook: Streamwood kicks off its inaugural season with a boys bowling program loaded with talent despite not having a team in previous years. The Sabres welcome a number of bowlers who have spent time on the lanes at travel and league tournaments. Matt Cizowski enters the season with a 217 average, followed by Bobby Trimarco and junior Radly Gamo who each bring 189 averages. "Our top three bowlers are upperclassmen who know how to lead the team by example and are already offering suggestions and tips to the less experienced members of the team," said coach Nichole Lyczak. The talent pool doesn't end there as sophomores Steven Welch and Alex Woodrich both have averages above the 170 mark and freshman Josh Reyes adds a 190 average. "Being a new program, we don't know what to expect from the stronger teams in the state, but we expect to be competitive," said Lyczak. "Our biggest goal is to lead the Upstate Eight Conference. We have a lot of depth and expect our guys to work hard to obtain that goal. We would like to make our presence known in our first year as an organized, competitive team." En route to meeting early season goals, the Sabres will compete in the Rockford Guilford Invite on December 13 and at the PBA Experience Shootout on January 3. "Ideally, we want to bowl at regionals and make an impact at the state tournament in January," Lyczak added.
St. Edward
Coach: Cindy Gage
Top returning bowlers: Seniors: Jim Frazcek, Anthony Bauer, John Currie, Kevin Haggard, Luke McCullagh; junior: Joe Melone
Top newcomers: Junior: Kevin Latzko; sophomore: Blake Poremba
Outlook: While St. Edward enters the 2008-09 season a smaller team than in years past, the Green Wave have proven thus far to be mighty. Already, the Green Wave have jumped out to a 3-0 start, the first 3-0 start in several years. Veteran bowlers Anthony Bauer (177 average), Jim Frazcek (186 average) and Joe Melone (175 average) should lead the way, but depth will strengthen the St. Edward attack. "Averages are on the rise," said coach Cindy Gage. "Everybody is trying very hard, and we are definitely more consistent than in years past. We're having a great time, and we have an excellent group of boys here."