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Fueled by senior Cole Cartee’s perfect, 300 game and a deep cast of keglers overall, the St. Charles East boys bowling team won the IHSA Lake Park Sectional at the Roselle Brunswick Zone this past weekend to advance to the state tournament at St. Clair Bowl in downstate O’Fallon.
State competition begins today, with 24 teams and individual from non-qualifying teams comprising the field. After six games today, the top 12 teams and top 30 individuals will advance to Saturday’s finals, where bowlers will roll six additional games, three each in the morning and afternoon.
Kane County Chronicle sports editor Kevin Druley spoke with Cartee and Saints junior Dean Mudlong about the team’s bid to improve on last season’s fourth-place state finish and other topics. Here’s an edited transcript:
Druley: The team has talked about its confidence all season. How did that factor in at sectionals?
Cartee: All the spare shooting we’ve had, all the adjustments we have to make, it’s the same old stuff. We took notes on the last time we were there, so we already had an idea about where to stand, where to shoot at. And so it was just another tournament to go to.
Mudlong: You know, I think just being able to shot well in the morning and then coming back in the afternoon knowing we typically bowl better in the afternoon, that was kind of a bonus.
Druley: How come you guys usually fare better in the afternoon?
Mudlong: We’re just better in the afternoon because our adjustments are better than the other teams, I feel. I feel like we’re just able to line up quicker and then make shots.
Druley: What do you remember about last season at state?
Cartee: I remember just the excitement of the whole thing, being at state for the first time as a team. And so now, we’re going back a second time, two years in a row. It’s going to be a lot of fun down there, and I expect us to do well. … Individually, I did not do too well at state last year. I finished with an average of a 170-something. And so this year, I’m looking to top that by a lot.
Mudlong: I honestly remember just having a lot of fun, and I’m really looking forward to going this season with the team I have now. Looking forward to having fun. For the tournament itself, I’m just going to make my own shots, try to keep my head in the right place.
Druley: To what extent has this season felt quick considering the confidence and the way everyone focused on state early on?
Mudlong: This season, I feel like now that we’ve actually made it to state, I feel that we’ve put in so much work and we know like, ‘OK, we’ve got this,’ and we can do well down at state. … Knowing that we deserve to be with the other teams that are as good or we’re as good as, we know it’ll be a little more competitive. There will be a little more nerves. But after the first couple shots, I think we’ll be OK.
Druley: How much did they change the oil patterns day-to-day last year at St. Clair
Bowl?
Cartee: I think they kept the same pattern, and so it was just kind of the same shot for the two days. And then the pattern just breaks down over time. So there will be that time Saturday when it’s really breaking down. You’ve just got to be ready for it.
Mudlong: When the patterns break down – I mean, I know our coaches help us pretty often – but usually, we’re able to line up pretty fast. It depends on what house you’re at, if it breaks down quicker or slower. … Usually we can read off of each other depending on who’s bowling.
Druley: What do you have to say about your coaches?
Cartee: I just can’t believe how proud they must be of us. I’m just so happy to have coaches like them, because they have (worked) through with us this entire time and they’ve helped us out a lot. Ball changes, adjustments, spare shots. Everything.
Mudlong: Just like us, they put in the hard work. Knowing that our hard work has paid off, it’s going to be a real fun time down at state.
Druley: How often do you guys practice with the girls team at Bowling Green?
Cartee: Usually there are a set of lanes between us, but we sometimes practice together. Like a captain’s practice when the coaches aren’t there.
Fueled by senior Cole Cartee’s perfect, 300 game and a deep cast of keglers overall, the St. Charles East boys bowling team won the IHSA Lake Park Sectional at the Roselle Brunswick Zone this past weekend to advance to the state tournament at St. Clair Bowl in downstate O’Fallon.
State competition begins today, with 24 teams and individual from non-qualifying teams comprising the field. After six games today, the top 12 teams and top 30 individuals will advance to Saturday’s finals, where bowlers will roll six additional games, three each in the morning and afternoon.
Kane County Chronicle sports editor Kevin Druley spoke with Cartee and Saints junior Dean Mudlong about the team’s bid to improve on last season’s fourth-place state finish and other topics. Here’s an edited transcript:
Druley: The team has talked about its confidence all season. How did that factor in at sectionals?
Cartee: All the spare shooting we’ve had, all the adjustments we have to make, it’s the same old stuff. We took notes on the last time we were there, so we already had an idea about where to stand, where to shoot at. And so it was just another tournament to go to.
Mudlong: You know, I think just being able to shot well in the morning and then coming back in the afternoon knowing we typically bowl better in the afternoon, that was kind of a bonus.
Druley: How come you guys usually fare better in the afternoon?
Mudlong: We’re just better in the afternoon because our adjustments are better than the other teams, I feel. I feel like we’re just able to line up quicker and then make shots.
Druley: What do you remember about last season at state?
Cartee: I remember just the excitement of the whole thing, being at state for the first time as a team. And so now, we’re going back a second time, two years in a row. It’s going to be a lot of fun down there, and I expect us to do well. … Individually, I did not do too well at state last year. I finished with an average of a 170-something. And so this year, I’m looking to top that by a lot.
Mudlong: I honestly remember just having a lot of fun, and I’m really looking forward to going this season with the team I have now. Looking forward to having fun. For the tournament itself, I’m just going to make my own shots, try to keep my head in the right place.
Druley: To what extent has this season felt quick considering the confidence and the way everyone focused on state early on?
Mudlong: This season, I feel like now that we’ve actually made it to state, I feel that we’ve put in so much work and we know like, ‘OK, we’ve got this,’ and we can do well down at state. … Knowing that we deserve to be with the other teams that are as good or we’re as good as, we know it’ll be a little more competitive. There will be a little more nerves. But after the first couple shots, I think we’ll be OK.
Druley: How much did they change the oil patterns day-to-day last year at St. Clair
Bowl?
Cartee: I think they kept the same pattern, and so it was just kind of the same shot for the two days. And then the pattern just breaks down over time. So there will be that time Saturday when it’s really breaking down. You’ve just got to be ready for it.
Mudlong: When the patterns break down – I mean, I know our coaches help us pretty often – but usually, we’re able to line up pretty fast. It depends on what house you’re at, if it breaks down quicker or slower. … Usually we can read off of each other depending on who’s bowling.
Druley: What do you have to say about your coaches?
Cartee: I just can’t believe how proud they must be of us. I’m just so happy to have coaches like them, because they have (worked) through with us this entire time and they’ve helped us out a lot. Ball changes, adjustments, spare shots. Everything.
Mudlong: Just like us, they put in the hard work. Knowing that our hard work has paid off, it’s going to be a real fun time down at state.
Druley: How often do you guys practice with the girls team at Bowling Green?
Cartee: Usually there are a set of lanes between us, but we sometimes practice together. Like a captain’s practice when the coaches aren’t there.