Gawlik delivers for Schaumburg

No one wins girls bowling meets by themselves, and that goes for Schaumburg as well as Hoffman Estates, both of which have won the state championship within the past five years.

While senior Samantha Kelly has led Schaumburg for most of the season, finishing with a 213.55 average, junior Marilyn Gawlik has been rock solid as the Saxons' second bowler with a 205.53 average.

There's no doubt the Saxons wouldn't be the same team if either bowler wasn't on the team, but Hailey Schneider, Jody Gawlik and Dan DeMaria are also big contributors in their second-place finish in the Mid-Suburban League standings this season.

"I think Marilyn is bowling more consistently this season," said Schaumburg coach Mark Kelly. "She's done a good job of controlling her emotions better than last year."

Gawlik began bowling when her friends started bowling and Marilyn asked her parents if could join them. They said yes, and she began her career at Streamwood Lanes.

"Freshman year I bowled basically everywhere," Gawlik recalled. "I got moved around a lot."

Gawlik would call her bowling last year consistent.

"I would say my best year is this year so far because I've done better than in previous years," Gawlik said. "My average is better and I've been consistently picking up more spares."

Gawlik also works hard at improving her game. Besides bowling for the high school team, the junior also bowls in a Saturday league, in a summer league and with her parents, who coach her during the offseason.

Marilyn has won two tournaments this season, the most of anyone on her team. She finished first at the Prospect tournament, then did the same at the Rockford Vikings Holiday Tournament.

"Marilyn was the only one who carried," Kelly said. "If she was in the pocket, she struck."

Gawlik has one flaw in her game that has hampered her somewhat.

"I still have to work on consistently throwing my strike ball," she said. "I dip my shoulder too much."

As for the rest of this season, which includes sectionals next Saturday, Gawlik said, "I want to win state as a team. We got third at state last year so we feel the way we're going this year, we can do it."