Richards takes ninth in state

The varsity boys bowling team from Richards High School placed ninth last weekend at the IHSA state finals in O’Fallon.

The team had a total pin fall of 12,095 pins (201.6 average). Brothers Matt and Danny LaBonte led the team with top 25 individual finishes.

Matt shot 2,607 (217.3 average) to capture 14th in state and Danny took 22nd place with 2,551 (212.6 average).

Team members include seniors Dan Christian and Max Simik; juniors Matt LaBonte and Owen Szarley; sophomores Blake Attig, Trevor Coffman and Nick Schopper; and freshman Danny LaBonte.

Season highlights also included winning first place at three invitationals, the South Suburban Conference Red Division and IHSA Regional tournaments, and taking fourth at the most difficult sectional in the state.

Kari Vanderjack serves as head coach of the boys bowling program.