Harlem Bowlers Set State Record for Series During Tournament

By Bob Balgemann, REPORTER

 The beat goes on as far as Harlem’s Boys Bowling Team is concerned.  

At their recent Huskie Invite, the Huskies set a new Illinois High School Association three-game series record with a 3,554 pinfall, during the morning session. The previous standard was 3,540, set by downstate O’Fallon. Harlem led from start to finish, then bowed to Hononegah by 17 pins in the step ladder finale.

Senior Jake Nimtz was the Individual Champion with a six-game 1,470 series, averaging 245 per game. He shot 794, a 265 average, over the final three games. Teammate Kyler Gerl, a Junior, finished fifth with 1,360 pins; Senior Dawson Jones was sixth at 1,358; and Freshman Josh Roth took seventh at 1,332. Josh was on the second Varsity Team entered by Harlem. At the Junior Varsity level, Harlem finished fifth in the 21-team field. Individually, Jake Nimtz has taken first, sixth, second, first and first in Preseason tournaments. The second place finish was for a five-game total of 1,266 pins. Then he shot a 268, raising the total to 1,534, which is another Illinois record, and also a Harlem record.

Harlem’s Lady Huskies also are doing well, having won the Preseason tournament and the Rock Island Invite. The JVs won the Preseason event by more than 1,200 pins and took second at Rock Island. Senior Mylee McCracken was second at Preseason and third at Rock Island. Sophomore Kayla Verstraete was the Rock Island Champion while finishing third in the Preseason.

Conference Action

Meanwhile, NIC-10 action got under way Nov. 29 with both Harlem teams defeating Guilford. The Lady Huskies turned in the day’s best game (1,240) and series (3,533) as they took all three games from the Lady Vikings in winning, 3,532-3,320. Mylee started her final year in conference action by averaging a league-best 220 pins per game, with a 662 series and high single game of 267. The series and single game also were best for the day. Sophomore Becca Hagerman was close behind, turning in a 639 series that included a high game of 253 and a three-game 213 average. Other contributions came from Junior Stephanie Richards who averaged 198 while recording a 596 series and 203 high game. Junior Treasure Childs was good for a 187 average, a 561 series and a 195 high game. Kayla Verstraete averaged 179, shot a high game of 183 and recorded a 583 series. Sophomore Angel Grinnall turned in a 536 series and a 212 high game while averaging 178.

Harlem got some outstanding individual efforts from two of their Varsity newcomers, Sophomore Noah Mandujano and Junior Nick Howard, in the 3,800-3,368 victory over Guilford. Noah’s 229 average was the Huskies second best of the day and he also recorded a 688 series that included a high game of 242. Nick was there with a 627 series, a 222 high game and a 209 average. Kyler Gerl led the way, averaging 236 per outing, which ranks him fourth in the Conference at this early stage. He also broke 700 with a 709 series and that included a team-best 268 high game.

CHRIS ANDERSON, PHOTO – The Journal.
With his family and Huskie bowling coach by his side, Harlem’s Jacob Nimtz signs his letter of intent to attend McKendree College in Lebanon, Ill., on Friday afternoon, Dec. 2 at Forest Hills Bowling Lanes.

A 625 series came from Jake Nimtz, with a 208 per game average and a high game of 226. Collin Day averaged an even 200, while kicking in a 600 series and 226 high game. Dawson Jones averaged 183 with a 551 series and high game of 191.