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Boys Preview
Joliet Central
Coach: Ed Larson (four years)
Top returners: Xander Suthrin, sr.; Jordan Johnso, sr.; Damon Gutierrez, sr. and Alex Cavanaugh, so.
Key newcomers: Robert Churchill, fr.
Worth noting: Larson is excited about the prospects of a successful season with these five bowlers. The have the talent to be one of the top teams, not only in the Southwest Prairie, but in the entire area.
Joliet West
Coach: Reggie Lee (eighth year)
Last year: Finished ninth in the state finals
Top returners: Anthony Lizzio, jr.; Nathan Schram, jr. and Joey Featherstone, sr.
Key newcomers: Bryce Links, fr and Matthew Ruffalo, fr.
Worth noting: The Tigers lost their core of five seniors, who had huge success over the past three seasons. Although not a total rebuild, this season will have a different look, but with the same motto’s that Lee wants every team to have – “Don’t Quit” and “Tiger Pride.”
Lincoln-Way Central
Coach: Coley O’Connell (fifth year, 13th overall in district)
Last year: Missed qualifying for state by one place in sectionals
Top returners: Jack McCabe, sr.; Luke Thormeyer, jr. and Ryan Marszalek, so.
Key newcomers: Thomas Conway, jr.; Conor Misch, jr.; Joe Wesel, jr. and Nick Wozniak, jr.
Worth noting: Another good season is in the works for the Knights. They did lose a strong group of seniors, although they do have a lot of experience returning and this group is extremely committed.
Lincoln-Way West
Coach: Scott Jablonski (12th year)
Last year: Placed 13th in the state finals
Top returners: Aiden Healey, jr.
Key newcomers: Zach Kuczek, Jake Schram, so. and Michael Senerchia, jr.
Worth noting: Lincoln-Way West has advanced to the state tournament in each of the past four seasons and now sets its sights on being one of the area’s top area teams. Jablonski will be looking to get Kuczek, Scram and Senerchia experience bowling in matches that matter to get them prepared for late season matchups. Healey, who placed 13th at state last season, is expected to step in and be the leader.
Lockport
Coach: Ron Davis (eighth year)
Last year: Finished 10th in the state finals.
Top returners: Jimmy Kontos, sr. and Jason Laba, so.
Key newcomers: Unknown
Worth noting: The Porters look to be one of the area’s top teams, but it will be a challenge with two starters from last year’s team having moved. But that opens spots for newcomers in the program. Laba, who finished 22nd at state last year and Kontos, 34th, will be the leaders.
Minooka
Coach: Derrick Rapsky (20 years)
Last year: Third place in state finals
Top returners: Ryan Franzen, sr; Brandon Caruso, jr; Efrain Soto, jr and Ryan Serchuk, jr.
Key newcomers: DJ Singleton and Ethan Caruso
Worth noting: Minooka will be paced by Soto who tied for second at last season’s state finals, and Brandon Caruso who placed seventh. Serchuk was the third of the big three on last year’s team. On paper, Minooka appears to be the team to beat in the state, yet Rapsky always looks forward to the great matches with Joliet West.
Plainfield Central
Coach: Mike Moderhack (fourth year)
Top returners: Mason Craig, sr; Chris Bienvenu, sr.; Tanner Rains, sr.; Jack LaLonde, sr. and Ben Smith, sr.
Key newcomers: Max Alling, jr.; Nathan Puckett, jr. and Jacob Chavez, fr.
Worth noting: With five seniors, all with varsity experience, the Wildcats are looking forward to a successful season. The team is looking at making a run at the end of the season, whatever that may hold this year.
Plainfield East
Coach: Nicholas Cress (fifth year)
Top returners: Nolan Tonkin, jr.
Key newcomers: Zachary Barlev, sr.
Worth noting: The Bengals will be led by Tonkin, who was the Most Improved bowler last season. Barlev is an All-State wrestler who will join the team because wrestling is moved to the summer. The remainder of the team is made up of sophomores and freshmen. The goals for the season are to compete in the tough Southwest Prairie Conference, to grow into the sport, to learn the fundamentals and come together as a team.
Plainfield South
Coach: Brian Zettergren (eighth year)
Last year: Finished 16th at state
Top returners: Matthew Knowlton, sr.; Braden Kidd, Jr. and Paul Lantz, Jr., jr.
Key newcomers: Joey Lobello, fr.; Austin Coffman, sr. and Jake Vilcek, fr.
Worth noting: Plainfield South is looking to build on its state tournament appearance last season and hopes to continue to improve. The summer and fall season provided the team invaluable tournament experience.
Girls Preview
Joliet Central
Coach: Steve Perion (third year)
Last year: Finished sixth at sectionals
Top returners: Devon Thomas, sr; Christine Butler, sr.; Maddie Butler, jr.
Key newcomers: Not sure, due to reshuffling of sport seasons
Worth noting: The Steelmen have a good nucleus returning and have worked hard during the offseason. They will rely on a bevy of freshmen and others who need to gain experience at the varsity level. They have to learn that no matter who you are bowling, it’s just about knocking down pins.
Joliet West
Coach: Jeff Bailey (seventh year)
Last year: Finished 15th at the state finals
Top returners: Brooklin Chavez, sr.; Malaya Chavez, so.; Erin Rowlett, sr.; Natalie Moldovan, sr.; Haley Tobias, sr; Maddie Millsaps, so.
Key newcomers: Gracie French, fr; Ella Steinke, fr; Alyssa Vanmeter, fr.
Worth noting: After a disappointing end last season, the Tigers are poised to make themselves one of the area’s top teams. Chemistry will be a key for this team as they move forward and try and find the best five bowlers. The Tigers will have depth, which is a big key to success.
Lockport
Coach: Lynda Siezega (first year)
Last year: State Champions
Top returners: Chloe Siezega, sr; Payton Vandenberg, sr; Meghan Bacys, sr.; Isa Colon, jr.; Emma Punter, jr.
Key newcomers: Paige Matiasek, fr.
Worth noting: Lockport never rebuilds, they reload and with the wealth of experience from last year’s championship team, they enter the season as the favorite to remain at the top. Siezega, who was assistant for 14 season takes over for veteran coach Art Cwudzinski, and the Porters don’t expect to miss a beat.
Minooka
Coach: Frank Yudzentis (15th year)
Last year: Finished third at state finals
Top returners: Kiara Backstrom, sr; Megan Gillson, sr; Jenna Newton, sr; Bri Gillson, jr.
Key newcomers: A host of possibilities
Worth noting: With two All-State performers in Backstrom and Bri Gillson returning, along with plenty of state experience the Indians will be looking remain one of the area’s best teams. According to Yudzentis, the fifth position will be a rotating one between four or five girls. As always, the expectations are high for this tradition-rich program.
Plainfield South
Coach: Kyle Rohlfs (fourth year)
Last year: Ninth at regionals
Top returners: Laura Rohlfs, sr.; Katie Reyes, sr.; Morgan Acs, jr.; Lilliana Gutierrez, jr.; Abby Downing, jr.
Key newcomers: Sam Cochran, fr.; Abigail Melero, fr.
Worth noting: The expectations are high for this year’s Cougars with seven freshman and experience at the top of the order. All the team members have worked extremely hard during the offseason with many having success in summer and fall tournaments.