Lake County boys bowling preview
Lake Zurich
Coach: Peter Kupfer (fourth year)
Host lanes: Brunswick Zone Deer Park
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Austin Wells, Luke Mueller; juniors Steve Garcia, Tony Giannecchini
Newcomer: Freshman Mike Schmitt
Outlook: Lake Zurich should be highly competitive, with a solid corps of returning performers.
"We expect to be competitive this year as the young bowlers are now experienced," Kupfer said. "We won the conference last year."
Libertyville
Coach: David Sill (first year)
Host lanes: Lakeside Lakes, Mundelein
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Keith Herchenbach, Josh Martin, Tony Milazzo
Newcomer: Freshman Jake Thompson.
Outlook: David Sill, who coached at Sycamore last year, brings a wealth of bowling knowledge and teaching skills to the Wildcats. The Wildcats placed 15th in a field of 24 teams at the Plainfield invitational on Saturday, and Thompson finished 24th in the individual standings.
"The kids are learning a lot very quickly and getting better," Sill said. "The program is growing at a quick rate. I expect if they practice real hard for sectionals, I'd like to see them go to state."
Stevenson
Coach: Barry Lapping
Host Lanes: Lakeside Lanes, Mundelein
Top bowler graduated: Ryan Sonnack
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Cody Lapping, Adam Sachs; juniors Paul Ritti, Ashton Wasserman
Newcomers: Junior Max Kozak, sophomore Arnie Nadel
Outlook: With a solid group of returning bowlers, the Patriots are setting their sights on qualifying for the state meet.
"We lost only one senior," Lapping said. "It's hardworking group, trying to figure out who are the best bowlers. We're trying to jell and pull together as a team."
Vernon Hills
Coach: Ron Long (10th year)
Host Lanes: Brunswick Zone Hawthorn in Vernon Hills.
Top bowlers graduated: Brandon Knopoff, Aaron Rose, Chris Weaver
Top bowlers returning: Seniors Erik Hencier, Sean Hogan, Alex Wong; juniors Mason Madej, Nick Garpow, Jimmy Tyrcha
Newcomer: Junior Steven Linda
Outlook: Expectations are always high for the Cougars to make another trip to the state meet in downstate O'Fallon. After last winter's 12th-place state finish, the Cougars are poised to qualify again. Garpow has already provided an impressive highlight when he fired a 300 game Nov. 19 in a dual meet against Deerfield.
"We've got a very competitive group," Long said. "Just like last year. These kids have been around the last few years. Not much experience, but have the desire and the determination."