Lake County girls bowling preview
Antioch
Coach: Jeff Childress (second year)
Host Lanes: Antioch Lanes
Top bowlers lost: Kimberly Childress (Robert Morris)
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Alyssa Alvarez, Rachel Gebauer, Sarah Highman, Kaitlyn Trusky , juniors Katy Bain, Ally Mathias, Symantha Rolph, sophomores Stevie Lindberg, Kelsey Schreiber.
Outlook: Antioch rolled in the state meet last February and has another great shot at it this year. "We finished last year placing 13th at state," Antioch coach Jeff Childress said. "We aspire to compete for the state championship this year. A repeat as Prairie Division, NSC tournament, and Sectional Champions are within our grasp. I realize that these are lofty statements, but we have a deeper and more mature team than Antioch has ever had."
Grant
Coach: Beth Miller (third year)
Host Lanes: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake.
Top bowlers lost: Beth Bengston, (Wisconsin-Whitewater), Caitlin Loving (Western Illinois), Serina Stow.
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Brie Brugioni, Catherine Nicpon, Lydia Wells.
Newcomers: Freshman Janelle Nikolai and Samantha Zak.
Outlook: Grant's got one of Lake County's best bowlers with Brie Brugioni (205 average) leading the team this year. The Bulldogs also have some experience, which will help the team be one of the stronger schools in the area. "We've got some holes to fill," Grant Coach Beth Miller said. "The girls are starting to solidify as a team. We'll see how they jell together."
Grayslake Central
Coach: Diana Soenksen (first year)
Host Lanes: Fairhaven, Mundelein.
Top bowlers returning: Miranda Merritt, Mary Stetz.
Newcomers:Senior Chelsea Rakowski, junior Cassie Henrikson, sophomore Ashley Newman.
Outlook: Grayslake Central trying to get its feet under them and is rolling toward steady improvement. The Rams have a new coach this year, as Diana Soenksen is leading the team. "We are a very new team," Soenksen said. "I'm looking forward to seeing our progress throughout.the year. It will be a growing year with a lot of improvement."
Grayslake North
Coach: Laura Berterman (second year)
Host Lanes: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake.
Top bowlers lost: Kayla Velasquez, Megan Fabry, Tina Freeman, Elena Dashenko
Top bowlers returning:Seniors Darby Shaw, Amanda Chavez, Ashley King, Hannah Quigley,juniors Lisa Seedof, sophomore Lauren Corda.
Newcomers: Sophomores Melanie Martinez, Stephanie Gegenheimer, freshman Catherine Kowlaski, Christine Paulick, Brittany Spychalski, Alex Argoudelis
Outlook: Grayslake North was the new kid on the block last year and improved a bunch. What might happen this year? "I expect the team to finish in the top two in our conference (Fox Valley)," Grayslake North coach Laura Bertermann said. "Also, get a bowler to the state tournament."
Lake Zurich
Coach: Mel Fox
Host Lanes:Brunswick Deer Park
Top bowlers lost: Stephanie Hoff and Chelbi Stromblad
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Amie Fischer, Colleen O'Donovan, Sara Watkins, juniors Jenna Downum, Larissa Howard, Nina Mitropoulos, Jessie Watkins..
Newcomers: Freshman Erin Kyrk and Dani Sikorski.
Outlook: Lake Zurich returns experienced bowlers with thoughts of a solid ad strong bowling season ahead. "We've got a strong nucleus of girls competing for varsity positions," Lake Zurich coach Mel Fox said. "We're looking forward to a winning season."
Lakes
Coach: Melissa Cross (fifth year)
Host Lanes: Antioch Lanes
Top bowlers lost: Becky Malta, Vanessa Villareal.
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Courtney Adlam, Devin Ksioszk, Maddie Nelson, Stephanie Nimmer, Jenna Raben, Alison Totopotochnik.
Newcomers: Samantha Potter.
Outlook: Lakes enters the season with a senior-dominated team and an up-and-coming program. "We've improved over the last few years," Lakes coach Melissa Cross said. "Expect us to be more competitive, comfortable and confident. The girls have recognized the importance in the team and it's paying off."
Libertyville
Coach: Ed Lasak (first year)
Host Lanes: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein.
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Jackie Funk, Kate Kretschmar, Barbra Williams.
Newcomers: Sophomore Ashley Babetch.
Outlook: Libertyville added a new coach Ed Lasak, who was an assistant at Jacobs the last two years. The Wildcats look to be an improved team. "In a couple of weeks, the team is willing to listen, learn with a good heart," Lasak said. "We could be competitive and apply the things we've learned. I believe we can compete at a high level."
Round Lake
Coach: Rebecca Hoffmann (second year)
Host Lanes: Lakes Bowl, Round Lake.
Top bowlers lost: Myra Edwards, Rene Gomez, Annliz Macharia
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Samantha Hughes, Erin Steele, junior Amanda Peterson, sophomore Dena Husk.
Newcomers: Senior Justyne Busch, freshman Felicia Klask.
Outlook: Two years in, Round Lake is rolling along with bigger numbers in its program and better skills after some off-season practice. "The season is starting out better than expected," Roiund Lake coach Rebecca Hoffmann said. "We've had a number of returning bowlers spend the summer in camps and improving their skills. Every girl on the team is dedicated to learning. We're determined to improve from last year."
Vernon Hills
Coach: Andra Hjelm (fourth year).
Host Lanes: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn, Vernon Hills.
Top bowlers lost: Marcy Cohen, Dayna Haight, Jessica Rigwood.
Top bowlers returning: Senior Nicole Sanhamel, junior Randi Stone, sophomore Taylor Rigwood.
Outlook: Vernon Hills returns a several bowlers, along with last year's state champion Nicole Sanhamel. The Cougars would like more success with a solid core of team unity this year. "As a team, we would like to make it back to state," said Vernon Hills coach Andra Hjelm, who had the entire team at state two years ago. "We would like to continue building on our strong team relationship that formed from last year. We don't have too many bowlers. So we're a close group already."
Warren
Coach: Rick Novak (sixth year)
Host Lanes: Bertrand Lanes, Waukegan
Top bowlers lost: Allison Dombrowski, Samatha Willingmeyer
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Briana Eustage, Sarah Griffif, Megan Kile, junior Maria Strauss, sophomore Casey Brown.
Outlook: It's a new season for Warren bowling, with a new mix of competitors that shows promise. "We've got a lot work ahead of us," Warren coach Rick Novak said. "I do expect us to do pretty good in the conference. We don't have a lot of experience, but we do have some girls that have done a lot of bowling."
Wauconda
Coach: Mindy Lorence (third year)
Host Lanes: 3-D Bowl, Island Lake.
Top bowlers returning: Sophomores Shannon Franklin, Rebecca Ledenbach, Kristine Micheletti.
Newcomers: Sophomore Stephanie Jordan, freshman Dorina Badino-Berger, Sierra Lincoln.
Outlook: Wauconda's bowling team continues growing each year and getting better. "We would like to exceed last year's record (11-5 dual meets) and have a productive season," Wauconda coach Mindy Lorence.