Scouting: Fox Valley area girls bowling
Bartlett
Coach: Tracy King
Top returning bowlers: Sophomores: Monica Anton, Jamie Boothe
Top newcomers: Senior: Kim Ippolito, sophomore: Valerie Simek, freshman: Erin Boothe
Outlook: Bartlett will strike opponents aggressively. Despite youth, the Hawks will look for success through teamwork and camaraderie. Already posting a win, first year coach Tracy King expects to see Bartlett be competitive season through getting stronger with each match. "These girls support one another enthusiastically," said King. "I would like them to continue on this path all the way to a championship. While Bartlett returns just two athletes, new talent should quickly help the Hawk cause.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: David Mensching
Top returning bowlers: Seniors: Katie Boulnois, Emilia Greve
Top newcomers: Kimina Jamison, Kayla Weston
Outlook: Dundee-Crown begins a new Fox Valley era with a number of new bowlers along for the ride. The 2008-09 campaign marks the introduction of a Fox Valley Conference for girls bowling. Among those teams competing with the Chargers will be Jacobs, Grayslake Central, Grayslake North, McHenry and Huntley. "This being the inaugural year for the Fox Valley, I think conference play should be competitive," said Chargers coach David Mensching. "We are a young team, but we have some great potential." With numbers on the rise, the Chargers will look to build a solid foundation for the future. "I would like to see growth," said Mensching. "This year, the biggest difference is the atmosphere around this team. Everybody gets along, we're having a lot of fun and all of these girls have a big desire to improve and compete which gives us a lot of hope for the season." Katie Boulnois currently leads the team in average at 175.
Elgin
Coach: Kari Dittmann.
Top returning bowlers: Senior: Shannon Forney, Juniors Melanie DeBrocke, Krysta Hanneman
Top newcomers: Freshman: Meghan Bowman
Outlook: The Elgin girls bowling program welcomes back senior Shannon Forney, who enters her final high school bowling campaign with a 167 average to lead the Maroons early. Also back in the lineup are juniors Melanie DeBrocke (148 average) and Krysta Hanneman (142). Despite bringing a fairly young team to the lanes, Elgin expects to improve upon last year's highs. "We are looking to finish above .500 this year," said fourth-year coach Kari Dittmann. "We have a young team so we are looking toward building the program, but we hope to be successful in the meantime."
Huntley
Coach: Sandra Spear
Top bowlers: Senior: Mallory Gyetuan; junior: Kacy Kane; sophomores Ashley Lowler, Shannon O'Neill; freshman: Nikki Demarco
Outlook: Huntley will jump in to the newly established Fox Valley Conference equally as fresh as the conference itself. As the Red Raiders get set to celebrate their inaugural girls bowling season, the Fox Valley welcomes conference play as Jacobs, Dundee-Crown, Grayslake Central, Grayslake North and McHenry join Huntley in the fight for a first-ever title season. "It is our first year with a team, but these girls are working extremely hard," said coach Sandra Spear. "We don't have a lot of prior bowling experience, but already we're seeing averages climb 40-plus pins." As the girls look to collectively better their games, it's hard to ignore the excitement for the program. "For many of these girls, this is the only sport they play," said Spear. "They are very excited for the opportunity and even happier that they can compete on a conference level. It will be a learning experience, but it will be a lot of fun. We have high expectations and hope to start the program off right."Senior Mallory Gyetuan currently boasts the high average at 140, but a number of girls are hovering in the 120s and looking to climb.
Jacobs
Coach: Alison Zorrilla
Top players: Seniors: Lauren Aggen, Amanda Burau, Brittany Lasak, Robin Lasak; sophomore: Jenn Rood
Top newcomers: Senior: Ashley Lasak; sophomore: Gianna Scarpelli; freshman Ashley Rood, Sarah Siska.
Outlook: This year's coaching staff, led by first year coach Alison Zorrilla, is extremely optimistic about the upcoming season. With five returning athletes from last year, experience should help the Golden Eagles work as a team to achieve both team and individual goals. "With the talent, growth and determination of our returning bowlers and new additions, I am very confident that this team will be competitive," said Zorrilla. "The girls are looking forward to returning to the sectional championship." Jacobs will contend in the Fox Valley Conference's first season for girls bowling with high hopes of being successful. "The team's biggest challenges will be adjusting to different lane conditions and staying focused on the present while executing shots," said Zorrilla. "Our ultimate goal is to win the newly formed conference title and compete for a state championship. We know that to achieve those things, we need to perform week in and week out, and we need to bowl our best."
Larkin
Coach: Rich Heisel
Top players: Senior: Kirstin Benson; Junior: Rose Danielek
Top newcomers: Freshmen Kendra Brandenburg, Natalie Judkins
Outlook: With the 2008-09 campaign just under way, longtime coach Rich Heisel feels that Larkin will be a fairly strong team. Leading the way, senior Kirsten Benson returns with a higher average as well as more confidence than in years past. A 4-year varsity starter, Benson will look to conclude her high school career on a high note. Backing Benson is junior Rose Danielek, a 3-year starter known best for her consistency. "Rose always picks up a spare when she needs it," Heisel said. "The girls are excited. Our newcomers are anxious to see how the program works, and they want to contribute." According to Heisel, leadership will be strength and consistency will be key to the team's success. "I just want our girls to do their best, improve and have fun," said Heisel. "I know that this group can and will do that. We also hope to get some girls to state."
South Elgin
Coach: Bonnie Kott
Top returning bowlers: Senior: Amanda Friese; Junior: Chimere Schmitz
Top newcomers: Freshman: Miranda Johnson
Outlook: With a dozen bowlers returning from last season, South Elgin hopes to move up the Upstate Eight Conference ladder behind exerpience and consistency. Amanda Friese is back, bringing with her a 180 average. According to head coach Bonnie Kott, Friese is not the only returnee the Storm expects to see succeed. "We expect great things from Amanda, and Chimere has already shown some excellent things in practice," said Kott. "Everybody returning has improved over the past year, and for that reason I hope to be very competitive at the varsity level."
Streamwood
Coach: Connie Kott
Top bowlers: Seniors: Vanessa Herrejon, Ashley Gabrys; junior: Anna Pena
Outlook: While Streamwood does not have a lot of new faces for the 2008-09 season, the Sabres happily welcome back Vanessa Herrejon (145-150 average), Ashley Gabrys (154) and Anna Pena (138). Program numbers are on the rise with 14 girls out this year and with the increase, expectations will also climb. "We should be in the middle of the pack in regards to U-46 play," said coach Connie Kott. According to Kott, finishing will be key for Streamwood and it will be the focus. "I would like to see improvement on our spare shooting," said Kott. "You won't get a strike every time, so it is important to close frames. We're going to work on that more." Having a fairly young team, technique training is also on the docket. "We will work on form and technique so that our younger bowlers prepare correctly," Kott said. "The great thing is that these girls are excited. They like the idea of having a bigger team. There is a sense of teamwork and a support network, and all the girls are looking forward to competing."
St. Edward
Coach: Dawn Nowosielski
Top bowlers: Seniors: Amelia Kolaczewski, Sarah Schultz, Sarah Michaels, Stephanie Kunold, Kate Norman, Crystal Lanan, Rosanna Spaccafeno
Outlook: Boasting seven seniors, each with experience, St. Edward looks to be competitive in the upcoming weeks. Dawn Nowosielski takes over at the helm of the girls program. Sarah Michaels (133 average), Amelia Kolaczewski (129), Sarah Schultz (127) and Stephanie Kunold (117) have led the team in average thus far each with averages up from last season. "The girls are showing improvements already," said Nowosielski. "We would like to get some wins while seeing averages climb. The girls are very excited." Because the Suburban Catholic Conference does not have any additional girls teams, the Green Wave will face area opponents in Elgin, Larkin, Streamwood, Bartlett and Jacobs to name a few. "We have a great group here," Nowosielski said. "Everybody gets along and works together to help one another."