Schaumburg aims to keep winning tradition alive

Schaumburg has another stellar girls bowling team this year and could pose the biggest threat to Elk Grove.

The Saxons, the defending Mid-Suburban League champs, are coming off three consecutive outstanding seasons where they finished third, second and seventh at the state tournament.

And although Marilyn Gawlik, the 2007 individual state champ, has graduated, the Saxons still boast some tremendous talent.

Junior Jodi Gawlik, who Schaumburg coach Mark Kelly calls one of the "top five bowlers in the state" is back. Gawlik and teammates Taylor Kallhoff and Julie Thomas will present their opponents with a formidable challenge.

"We graduated four seniors," Kelly said, "but we've got some excellent players returning as well as a great group of JV players moving up to varsity."

Jodi Gawlik was fourth in the MSL last year with a 204.49 average.

"We've got talent," added Kelly, "so now the question is how hard they're willing to work and how much effort they're willing to put in."

Prospect should enjoy another competitive year as well.

The Knights, who won the prestigious Lockport Invite in 2008 and soared to a third-place MSL finish, return senior Holly Fields (the MSL medalist as a sophomore) and sophomore Whitney Schmidt, who got some valuable varsity experience last year.

"We'll be young and inexperienced at the start of the year, "said Prospect coach Greg Troyer,"but I'm counting on a few members of last year's JV team to step up."

Hoffman Estates hopes to build upon last year's state tournament qualification with junior Liz Saffold (13th in MSL average in 2008) and senior Lisa Papeck leading the way.

Conant lost conference champion Brittney Mari to graduation but return a trio of talented seniors in Shannon Hallberg, Stephanie Vura and Brianna Carroo.

Palatine will look to improve on last year's sixth-place MSL finish behind Ashley Cramer (top 20 in MSL average in 2008) and Barbie Gutwein, a state tournament qualifier last season.

"It all comes down to making our spares," said Palatine coach John Burke. "You can't control what happens on your first shot, but you can control what happens on your second shot."

Fremd's top returnees are junior Gabby Burnitz, senior Melany Butz and sophomore Samantha Rossdeutescher.

"Since we have only two new bowlers," said Vikings coach Deb Pietrucha, "my expectation is that we will finish better than last year. The girls are striving to improve their bowling skills each day at practice."

Rolling Meadows is already off to a strong start in 2009 behind Brittany Meyer and Katia Smith, and Mustangs coach Karen Ellingsworth says the league should be much more balanced than years past.

"I believe that 13 of the top 15 all-conference bowlers from last year have graduated," said Ellingsworth, "and that means there'll be some fresh faces at the top of the MSL rankings.

"I think we'll be very competitive this year."

Wheeling will be led by Jennifer Schmitt while Buffalo Grove bowlers Mariah McVay and Molly Jackson look to lead a Bison charge.

Hersey will compete with four returning seniors (Amanda Hampe, Carina Balan, Rachel Boldt and Margaret Gawlik), while Barrington will look for improvement in only their second varsity season behind juniors Steph Gedeller and Kalene Huber.

"The returning kids are more confident now," said Fillies coach Sam Raia, "and they're more into it. I'm also impressed with the way they're helping the newcomers to our team."