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Burgos, a St. Charles East freshman, says he's earned more than 70 medals over his career, one that includes elite international bowling experience as a member of Team Puerto Rico in the United States Bowling Congress. In 2016, Burgos took first place in the Under-12 Junior Gold championships. Last December, Burgos rolled the second-highest series in Illinois High School Assocation history – 844 – against Lake Park. In those three games, Burgos rolled 300-279-265. As a freshman. "That was pretty much one of the best days," Burgos said. "It was all just clicking." Burgos just added another signature performance to the top of the list: IHSA champion. The 15-year-old St. Charles East wunderkind averaged a score of 239 at last weekend's competition to bring home top honors. Burgos rolled a pair of 300 scores over the two-day tournament, and his 2,868 total pinfall put him 39 pins ahead of runner-up Cameron Crowe of Sandburg. (Photo provided)
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As a team, St. Charles East finished fourth, its second-best team finish in program history. East placed third at state in 2014. Connor Johnson (2,442), Tyler Johnson (2,441), Nicholas Cutrara (2,438), Edward Burgos (1,852) and Nathan Greco (375) rounded out the scores for the weekend. The Saints were 44-1 in games played, 9-0 in total matches and won a regional title this season. During the state tournament, coach Steve Dessauer observed the team circle together. It helped put aside the individuality bowling can present in terms of closely monitoring each contribution to the team effort. "As [coaches], we could just step back and let them have their team moment, like 'let's do this for each other,'" Dessauer said. "Unfortunately, it didn't work to the point where we caught up or we got extra pins. But, it's that type of moment that I'm hoping is going to build and continue on to next year." Burgos is the first freshman to win the IHSA state tournament since Bryan Thompson of Brother Rice back in 2006. (Photo provided)
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Burgos closed the first day with the individual lead after six games, averaging 244.8. St. Charles North senior Blake Miller narrowly trailed behind at second, only total 21 pins behind. "When I saw my rank after day one, I saw it and I was like: 'It's six more games, so I can do this. If I did this already [through] six games, I can do this,'" Burgos said. "It means a lot because I've been practicing so hard. I had a little setback when I came here [to St. Charles]," Burgos said. "It means really a lot because I was working really hard so I could be the top individual." Burgos and his family moved to St. Charles last summer from Dorado, Puerto Rico, after his father retired from active military service. Adjusting to St. Charles proved relatively seamless. Burgos has extended family living in the area, including his cousin, Edward, who is also a member of the Saints' bowling team as a junior. "We play games like every single day on the weekend," Edgar Burgos said. "He certainly helped me in the adjustment from bowling leagues to bowling as a team." (Photo provided)
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Miller and the North Stars kept it close on the second day. St. Charles North finished eighth for the second consecutive year. Miller led the North Stars individually with 2,661 total pins, finishing ninth for the tournament. Miller placed 10th last season. Brian Belzey (2,511), Mitch Leonard (2,380), Zachary Mundt (2,321), Zachary McCormick (1,326), Ryan Christman (862) and Carson Walters (182) rounded out the team score, who averaged 204. The North Stars won sectionals over Harlem and Hononegah, a major accomplishment in the run up to state. "On the bus afterwords, I told everyone: 'If we can beat these two [teams], there's no doubt in my mind that we can do well at state,'" Miller said. Miller, a four-year varsity bowler and regional champion this season, has grown a lot as a bowler. It's helped shape him into a potential collegiate bowler in the near future. He's drawn interest from Robert Morris in Chicago. "My attitude has changed a lot [for the] better," Miller said. "I've just learned to get over it; you make bad shots, you just can't be mad at yourself. Overall, that's just made me a lot better as a person and a bowler." (Photo provided)