Harlem rules NIC-10 as conference bowling season begins

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

MACHESNEY PARK – Harlem’s boys and girls varsity bowling teams set the standards Nov. 30 as the 2015-16 conference bowling season got under way.

The Huskies rolled over Guilford with the day’s best single game (1,381) and three-game series (3,953). And the Lady Huskies did the same thing, also in a win over Guilford, with a 1,189 single game and 3,443 series.

Both junior varsity teams opened with victories as well   .

Action will resume Friday (Dec. 10) at Boylan, then there will be a stern test for both teams Tuesday (Dec. 15) when Belvidere North comes to town. All games are at 4 p.m. with home contests being played at Forest Hills Lanes in Loves Park.

The defending NIC-10 champion Huskies were led by senior Austin Bull with a 748 series that tied Belvidere’s Joe Gallagher for first place.

Harlem sophomore Kyle Gerl had his team’s high single game, a 266, which was fifth best for opening day. Junior Jake Nimtz had a 257, second high for the Huskies, while Bull came in third with a 256.

Nimtz recorded a 696 series, second best for Harlem.

Other contributions came from junior Cole Damon with a 635 series and 216 high game; junior Collin Day with a 613 series and high game of 219; and junior Dawson Jones, a 586 series to go with a 204 high game.

Seven girls helped their team on opening day led by junior Mylee McCracken. She overcame having her wisdom teeth pulled that morning to roll a 658 series and 228 high game. Her series was second best for the day in the conference.

Sophomoe Stephanie Richards sparked the Lady Huskies with their high game of the day, a 248, which was third highest in the league. She also chipped in a 605 series.

Two freshmen were in the starting lineup, competing for the first time in a NIC-10 varsity contest. Becca Hagerman and Kayla Verstraete each rolled a 577 series and both had high games of more than 200. Verstraete rolled a 226 while Hagerman had a 216.

Senior Skylar Russo-Perry rounded out those who bowled three games with a 567 series and 231 high game.

Senior Samantha Laube and sophomore Treasure Childs shared three games with Childs posting a 309 series that included a high game of 170. Laube rolled one game, a 150.

JVs sweep Guilford

Harlem also reigned supreme in junior varsity competition, with boys and girls teams posting the best series and high game for the day.

The Huskies had a 1,270 single game and 3,682 series; the Lady Huskies recorded a 1,083 single game and a 3,026 series.

Three freshmen stole the show for Harlem. Cody Lawrence rolled a league-leading 674 series with teammate Noah Majdujano right behind at 668. Mandujano also had a 265 single game while James White recorded a 257.

For the Lady Huskies, junior Alexandria Buffington averaged 199 with a 597 series and 236 high game.