Gawlik sisters spark Saxons to prestigious title

The Schaumburg girls bowling team finished second in the state tournament last year - and the Saxons look poised to make another run this season.

That's why, according to Schaumburg senior Kathryn Schild, impressive performances like the Saxons' triumph at Saturday's Prospect New Year's Invite are so important.

"Our coach (Mark Kelly) tells us that invitationals help prepare us for the state tournament," said Schild, who knocked down 1,240 total pins to help lead Schaumburg (5,812) to a 181-pin victory in the 36-team field.

Lake Park was runner-up, Elk Grove finished fourth and Hoffman Estates - led by Liz Saffold's 10th-place individual finish - took sixth in the team standings

"A tournament like this gives us a good look at what state will be like, and it shows how important spare shooting is, especially cover pins - which we stress all the time at practice," Schild said.

Schaumburg senior Marilyn Gawlik rolled a 1,251 to finish third. Her sister Jodi, a sophomore, placed fourth a 1,240.

Rockford Guilford junior Trista Flowers (1,282) won the individual medal.

Fremd senior Ashley Landowski continued to shine in 2009. Landowski, who has excelled in Mid-Suburban League competition this season, finished second, just 30 pins behind Flowers.

"The last few weeks I've really gotten into a groove," Landowski said. "Things have been going really well."

Lake Park's strong outing included three bowlers - Tiffany Novy, Katie Vormittag, and Anglea Beckmann - in the top 30.

The senior-laden Lancers' performance was even more impressive as it came against such a top-caliber field.

"We came here to do our best, and it showed how much we help and support each other," Novy said.

"We work well together as a team," said Lake Park senior Courtney Gahalla.

Waubonsie Valley finished ninth in the tourney as Sarah O'Brien rolled a 1,220. West Aurora was 10th, host Prospect finished 14th and Palatine 15th.

Elk Grove's fourth-place finish featured the tournament's top game - 277 from sophomore Caerlina Williams - and a top-10 series of 1,195 by freshman Tedra Tado.

"I knew I had a strong team of returnees," said Elk Grove coach Kim Sander, "but I'd have to say that Caerlina and Tedra have been my surprises."

Although Williams is in just her second year of high school bowling, she has plenty of experience. She's been bowling since age 6, when a family birthday party introduced her to the sport.

"It was nice to have the top game," Williams said. "I didn't come here with any expectations - I just wanted to bowl as well as I could."

"We have such a hard working team, and the best thing is that when anyone gets down, we pick each other up," Tado said. "We've bonded really well."