Schaumburg's Gawlik 2nd, just 27 pins from title
ROCKFORD - Prior to the start of this year's girls bowling season, Schaumburg coach Mark Kelly called Saxons junior Jodi Gawlik "one of the best high school bowlers in Illinois".
On Saturday at the state tournament - as she has done all season - Gawlik proved her coach right.
The junior excelled at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford, knocking down 2,729 pins in the two-day, 12-game tourney to claim the second-place individual medal.
Gawlik was just edged out for medalist honors by Collinsville senior Frannie Steiner, who rolled a 247 in her final game - topping Gawlik by just 27 pins.
The junior was happy about her tremendous showing but felt a bit deflated after coming so close to a state crown.
"I'm thrilled, obviously, to come in second," said Gawlik, "but I'm also disappointed that I didn't win. I had a couple of mistakes that could have been prevented."
Collinsville made the long trip from downstate near St. Louis a worthwile one, winning the team state championship with a total pinfall of 12,450 - 134 pins better than runner-up Rockford Jefferson.
Schaumburg staged a second-day rally to finish fifth, led by senior Julie Thomas.
Thomas rolled a two-day total of 2,343, junior Cheryl Halas finished with 2,324 including a 238 game Friday, and senior Kelly Judge contributed with a total pinfall of 2,268.
Gawlik's two-day total included games of 247 and 235, and the Saxons also got a big assist from sophomore junior varsity bowler Cheyenne Pfieffer.
Pfieffer was promoted to varsity for the state tournament and finished with a 2179 total that included a 246 first game at the tourney.
"I was just really excited," said Pfieffer, who got her first varsity experience at the state meet. "I was very nervous at the beginning, but after the first game I was able to relax, and with the support of my teammates I was able to suck it up."
"We came together as a team," added senior Thomas, as the Saxons came back from ninth place after the first session to finish fifth.
Elk Grove, the Rolling Meadows sectional champion, didn't qualify for the second day as a team, but two individuals showed that the Grens have a bright future ahead.
Sophomore Ashley Dolce rolled games of 228 and 200 en route to a total pinfall of 2,380, while junior Caerlina Williams had a two-day total of 2,315.
"Starting today I'm going to get my head back in the game, play in tournaments and get ready for next season," Williams said.
Two other local qualifiers made their state tournament appearances memorable.
Conant senior Stephanie Vura qualified for the second day of the tournament and rolled games of 221 and 227, while Hersey senior Carina Balan also advanced to the meet's second day.
Balan shot a 200 game and a pair of 199 games in the pressure-packed state final environment.
"I came here to do my best and enjoy the experience, and I think I did that," Balan said.
"It's been great to compete for four years, and I hope to continue bowling at the next level."