Williams leads Elk Grove's surge

The bowling bug bit Caerlina Williams when she was only 6 years old.

The Elk Grove junior was attending a birthday party at Wood Dale Lanes, and she had such a good time she told her father, Tyrone, "Dad, this is so cool. I want to go bowling!"

Dad willingly complied, taking his daughter under his wing, coaching and encouraging her throughout the years.

The Grenadiers are sure happy he did.

Now 11 years later, Williams will be the anchor of a talented Elk Grove squad after excelling in 2008 as a sophomore.

Williams finished with the fifth-best average in the Mid-Suburban League last season (201.77) and led her team to a surprising second-place overall MSL finish.

"I was just ecstatic about the way Caerlina, and the rest of our team, performed last year," said second-year Grens coach Kim Sander.

"We've got a great group of girls, and I can't begin to tell you how much Caerlina has meant to us. She's a die-hard and a real example for the younger girls."

Williams, whose high series in the MSL was a 691 last season, knows she can't rest on her laurels and has already proved that early in 2009.

The junior posted a match-best 689, including games of 247 and 245, in the MSL's opening meet this year.

"She sets the tone," said Elk Grove assistant coach Dan Klaus. "She has a lot of fun, but she's also very businesslike.

"It's great to have someone out there who lives and breathes bowling."

For her part Williams, who practices religiously and competed in tournaments in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana over the last few months, says that there's no "off-season."

And now that she's a year older and in her second varsity campaign, she looks back with fondness to last season and also realizes that now even more success is anticipated.

"Last year was really fun," said Williams. "The best part was meeting all the girls (on our team). I was really nervous at my first meet, but the girls took me under their wing.

"We're a very solid team right now. Because of our success last year, expectations are higher this year but I think our goals are realistic. There are a lot of people out there rooting for us.

"We're shooting to win the MSL championship."

Confidence such as that is much appreciated by her coach.

"Caerlina is consistent, competitive and a leader," said Sander. "She leads by example, and she's part of a team which I feel is very supportive of each other.

"They stick together and support one another."

The Grenadiers go into the 2009 season as one of the favorites, as senior Sarah Bunta (193.69), sophomore Ashley Dolce (183.67) and sophomore Tedra Tado (181.62) all finished in the top 20 in MSL average last year.

"In a conference like this," said Klaus, "you know it's always going to be competitive. You're not going to be able to just waltz your way to the top."

"The kids really want to be in the upper tier of the MSL," added Sander. "They're ready to step up and prove what they can do, and I'm excited to see them showcase their skills."

And Williams, who has already been thinking about college with Ball State and Valparaiso on her short list, knows exactly what it will take for the Grens to rise to the top.

"We've just got to stay focused," said the junior, "and keep working hard. We have a goal, and that's one of the best things about competition - when you have an expectation and you go out and achieve that expectation - it's pretty cool.

"Now I think this year that people are expecting great things from us, and we're not going to let them down."