Get the ball rolling — that’s what Zion-Benton did
By Bryan Bonato Special to The News-Sun January 6, 2013 4:28PM
1/5/13 Round Lake Spectators watch during the Grant Invitational at Lakes Bowl in Round Lake Saturday. | Dan Luedert~Sun-Times Media
THREE-GAME TEAM SCORES
1) Zion-Benton 2,717
2) Jacobs 2,578
3) Wauconda 2,570
4) Lake Zurich 2,536
5) Stevenson 2,439
6) Grant 2,418
7) Round Lake 2,303
8) McHenry 2,298
9) Grayslake C. 2,233
10) Dundee-Crown 2,219
11) Lakes 2,186
12) Grayslake N. 1,889
THREE-GAME TOP INDIVIDUALS
1) Danie Sikorski (Lake Zurich) 235-209-224—668
2) Ashleigh Miller (Zion-Benton) 213-185-224—622
3) Ashley Wittert (Stevenson) 193-180-236—609
4) Felicia Klask (Round Lake) 211-170-220—601
5) Donna Badingo-Berger (Wauconda) 205-168-213—586
6) Bobbie Warren (Zion-Benton) 166-211-204—581
7) Sami Jo Zak (Grant) 224-156-193—573
8) Karissa Gonio (Dundee-Crown) 196-209-167—572
9) Mariclare Daniels (Jacobs) 232-156-177—565
10) Erica Smetters (Jacobs) 213-141-203—557
11) Chey Brewington (Zion-Benton) 187-200-161—548
12T) Sierra Lincoln (Wauconda) 176-159-202—537
12T) Jenelle Nikolai (Grant) 158-175-204—537
FINAL STANDINGS
(TEAM & BAKER GAMES)
1) Zion-Benton
2) Wauconda
3) Grant
4) Lake Zurich
5) Jacobs
6) Stevenson
7) Dundee-Crown
8) McHenry
9) Round Lake
10) Lakes
11) Grayslake Central
12) Grayslake North
Article Extras
Updated: March 8, 2013 1:15AM
Zion-Benton High School’s girls bowling team has been looking for a home away from home all season.
On Saturday, the Zee-Bees finally found it — Lakes Bowl in Round Lake.
It was there, during the Grant Invitational tournament, that the Bees — virtually unbeatable at its home house (Sunset Lanes in Waukegan) and barely competitive on the road so far this season — found their comfort zone and rode that to a team victory in the 12-team tournament.
Zion-Benton was champion in the three-game regular team competition in the morning session, and also was best in the “Baker” team format (12 games) in the afternoon.
“This is the first time we’ve bowled well away from Sunset,” said Z-B coach Bob Voigt. “We haven’t lost a game there, but we’ve only won two away from Sunset, so we’ve been very home-oriented this year.”
On Saturday morning, Zion was led by Ashleigh Miller, who had 213-185-224—622 to finish second to Lake Zurich’s Dani Sikorski (235-209-224—668) in the individual competition.
“I was a little worried,” admitted Miller about how she would do on the day. “I just got back from attending a wedding in Atlanta and visiting family in Tampa, and hadn’t been practicing.
“So, I’m happy with the way I bowled and I’m really proud of my teammates.”
Those proud teammates included Bobbie Warren (581 series), Chey Brewington (548), Bre Keulen (512) and Jasmine Acosta (180 in the only game she bowled in the a.m.
In the afternoon “Baker” event, each girls on a team bowled two frames in a game (1st/6th, 2nd/7th, 3rd/8th, 4th/9th, 5th/10th). In addition to scoring a game total for the team, each Baker two-game “match” was against another team, and bonus points were awarded for winning a “match.”
Zion and Grant actually ruled during the Baker games.
“I love Baker,” said Voigt. “That’s the best way I know to teach team bowling.”
Grant made the biggest move in the Baker session, climbing from sixth to third in the team standings.
“It was a good afternoon,” said Grant coach Beth Miller, whose team did not lose a Baker “set.” “It helps when you pick up the bonus points. It was a good way to finish after a tough morning.”
Individual champion Sikorski was the only girl to top 200 in all three of her games.
“It (668) wasn’t my best series, but I’ve never bowled this well in a tournament atmosphere,” she said. “I was just on. I had the right momentum and the right mark.”
