Joliet West girls bowling rolls to regional championship

JOLIET – Eleven girls bowling teams battled it out Friday morning and afternoon at the Plainfield Central Regional, with the top four teams and top 10 additional individuals advancing to next weekend’s sectionals and keeping their hopes of winning state alive.

It’s probably no surprise which team took the top spot at the meet at Joliet’s Town & Country Lanes.

The same team that won the IHSA state title last year.

Joliet West continued an outstanding season with a regional championship Friday. The Tigers finished in first place with a score of 5,690, moving on to the Decatur Sectional next weekend.

Samantha French was the top bowler for the Tigers with a 1,218, placing her third overall. She was one of four Tigers placing in the top 10 – fifth-place Mia Antomez (1,171), sixth-place Emily Michon (1,157) and seventh-place Gianna Mendoza (1,094).

Not a bad day for the defending champs. Yet when you’ve finished in the top two the past two years at state, the standard is a bit different.

“We bowled hard, but we bowled down to our expectations in the second half,” coach John Lizzio said. “I threw in two freshmen that hadn’t bowled too much this year then. We just need to work on spares. That’s what we need to do to win state again.”

The Tigers aren’t going to be alone when they head to Decatur as a team next week. Minooka finished just behind them as a group, scoring 5,577, with ninth-place Kylie Steiner (1,078) and eighth-place Kayla Henry (1,088) finishing in the top 10 in addition to Kaylee McNab, the top individual scoring a 1,391.

In addition to joy, she also felt an emotion one wouldn’t expect: confusion

“I”m actually pretty happy about it, but I didn’t even know," the senior said. “I wasn’t checking my score all day or anything. ... I’m really happy [my team is coming], because I don’t think I could’ve bowled as good as I did if it wasn’t for my team.

“I’m hoping to make it to state with everyone.”

The host team had a day to remember, as well. Plainfield Central finished third with a 5,512, including a pair of top-four finishers. Alyssa Coldwater took second with a 1,263, and Madeline Barnes was fourth with an 1,180.

The last team to make it out of the regional was Lincoln-Way West. The Warriors bowled 5,045 as a unit, with Allison Whalen (10th place, 1,063) leading the way.

While the top four teams all get to go to sectionals, there will be 10 individuals from other teams advancing, as well. Those 10 bowlers will make sure a multitude of schools are well represented. Three come from Lincoln-Way East, two each come from Lincoln-Way Central and Plainfield South, and one each will represent Joliet Central, Morris and Reed-Custer.

Of all those individuals, Abby Craig of Lincoln-Way East was the top performer, scoring a 1,028, placing her 14th overall.

“It feels amazing,” she said. “I can’t wait to be in Decatur for sectionals. ... I found my spot in the afternoon, and my goal is to work on what I need to and make it to state.”

Abby Bojan (21st overall, 981) and Grace Bohms (22nd overall, 979) joined her from Lincoln-Way East.

Hayden Justis of Plainfield South was 17th among all bowlers with a 1,012. She’ll be joined by teammate Audrey Palmer, who bowled a 955 to place her 27th.

Lincoln-Way Central’s Nicole Lesser tied Justis with a 1,012 to advance and will be joined by junior Lily Dedic, who bowled a 960 to finish 26th.

Finally, Tashera Miller of Joliet Central (986, 20th overall), Chaylene Crews of Reed-Custer (967, 24th overall) and Allyson Fidler of Morris (961, 25th overall) are all going on, as well.

The Decatur Sectional will be held at Spare Time Lanes on Feb. 16.