Future Appears Bright for Harlem’s Boys, Girls Bowling Teams

By Bob Balgemann, REPORTER

 It seems like only yesterday that Collin Day, Dawson Jones and Jake Nimtz were Freshmen on the Harlem Varsity Bowling Team. All three were part of the squad that finished fourth in the State that year, with Jake averaging 215 per game over the two days at downstate O’Fallon. As a Sophomore in 2014-15, Jake set a new State Tournament record with a 12-game 3,011 series, averaging 250 per game. The Huskies were second that year.

Now they’re back, as Seniors, for one more go at a State title. They have won their share of tournaments and individual awards. All three were All-Conference in 2015-16. Jake has been All- Conference in each of his three seasons and was the NIC-10’s most valuable performer as a Sophomore. Collin and Dawson were special mention as Sophomores. In 2015-16, Dawson and Jake averaged 233 per game in conference play, good for second place among individuals. Dawson also rolled a three-game 811 series, good for second best for the year. Collin’s 220 average was good for seventh. The only other Senior on the team is newcomer Devon Lawrence, a wide receiver last fall on the varsity football team. This is an experience-laden boys team beyond the three Seniors. Junior Kyle Gerl, All-Conference last year, was a regular on the team of five, averaging 225 in the league that was good for fourth individually. His 290 single game was fourth highest; he also had a three-game 761 series.

Coming up from the successful Junior Varsity Team, which finished 8-1 and took second in the NIC-10, are Juniors Nick Howard, Evan Johnson and Darby Windsor. They are joined by Sophomores Cody Lawrence, Noah Mandujano, Aaron Rillie, James White and Zach Zimmerman. Noah already has logged varsity playing time in the preseason, finishing 10th in the Spartan Eliminator Tournament hosted by suburban Glenbrook North High School. Freshmen vying to fill vacancies on the JV team are Nathan Broege, Jason Claus, Lucas Merrick, Ethan Pash, Josh Roth and Devon Schwanke.

Defending Champions

Harlem’s girls are the defending NIC-10 Champions, going 9-0 last season and finishing two games in front of Belvidere and Belvidere North. The Lady Huskies also have a wealth of talented returnees including Sophomores Becca Hagerman and Kayla Verstraete; Juniors Treasure Childs and Stephanie Richards; and Seniors Alexandra Buffington and Mylee McCracken. Becca led the conference with a 218 average per game. Mylee averaged 209; Stephanie, a 208; Kayla, a 197; Alexandra, a 192; and Treasure, a 173. Among those coming up from the successful Junior Varsity Team, which won the NIC-10 Championship, are Sydney Keller, Amanda Wallace, Savanna Bogenfief, Angel Grinnall and Amanda Thompson. Amanda led that group with a 175 average followed by Angel with a 171.

Information on the Freshman candidates was not available.

Seniors lost to graduation from the two teams are Austin Bull (216 average); Samantha Laube (178); and Skylar Russo-Perry (197).