OLHMS Boys Bowling Third in State!

April 16th is a day that will hold fond memories for the OLHMS boys bowling team for many years to come. After all, a day that you take 3rd place at the Illinois Elementary School Association State Bowling Tournament should and does hold significant meaning.

Everything the OLHMS bowlers have worked towards so far in their young, but dominant, bowling careers came into play during the past weekend. Beginning Friday, April 15, bowlers were determined to come out on top, to qualify for Saturday, day two, of the state bowling tournament. Every ball, every frame, every strike, and spare that they have thrown, up until this day, is a testament to their hard work and dedication. It was the reason that OLHMS team would proudly take a trophy back to their school.

After Friday’s four games, the OLHMS boys bowling team was in second place, only trailing first by a few pins. On Saturday, the six game stretch would earn Owen Szarely, Jake Kuska, Trevor Coffman, Danny LaBonte, and Matt LaBonte their third place trophy and a medal, acknowledging their hard work and determination. The weekend was full of team spirit, picking each other up when they were down, and learning what it takes to be on top, the third best bowling team in the state.

Overall, the boys had a total pin fall of 7,295, with 2,189 of those pins coming from Matt LaBonte, the new IESA 10 game state record holder. Matt took first place individually in the state tournament. Matt was in first place throughout the tournament and he never once focused on himself, rather he focused on the team, which is a leadership skill a coach could only hope to see in their top bowler.

The OLHMS girls bowling team, with a total pin fall of 1,810, worked hard and had a great time at the IESA bowling tournament, ending their run on Friday. Destinee Cwik proudly led her team, Anna Koutsky, Cheyene Strang, Kailey Dolan, and Jessica Sauerwein throughout the tournament.

As coaches, Mrs. Angelos and Miss DeRuiter could not be more proud of their teams. The OLHMS bowling program would like to thank our wonderful bowling parents for their commitment to the team! Teamwork begins at home by investing in your children’s passions and dreams, their accomplishments would be nothing without your help!