St. Charles North Girls Roll Past East

Whoever said bowling isn't a sport should reconsider.

Especially after watching the girls bowling teams from St. Charles East and North square off in their version of the "Crosstown Classic" Thursday afternoon at the St. Charles Bowl.

Led by senior Erika Ciran's 606 series, the North Stars withstood a late charge to earn a 3-1 triumph over the Saints (3-2) in Upstate Eight Conference action.

Ciran, who rolled a 596 series in a 4-0 sweep of Metea Valley Dec. 7, was a model of consistency throughout against the Saints with scores of 193 and 180 to go with her team-leading 233 in the opening game.

"I'm really happy for us," said Ciran, who was joined by teammates Bobbi Jo Buhlman (223) and Caitlin Khoury (181) during the North Stars' 959-899 opening-game victory.

"We got on a roll in the first game and we were all feeding off each other's energy," added Ciran, whose personal-best series of 634 was achieved this past October.

The North Stars (4-1-1) displayed their depth the rest of the way, as Khoury and freshman Ashley Montgomery finished with scores of 214 and 203, respectively, in their 917-837 Game 2 win.

Despite dropping the third game, 919-880, the North Stars received another 200-plus game‑a 205 from senior Julia Claire Plezbert.

"It's all the girls," said North Stars coach Ron Madej. "They work hard at practice and they came out and executed today. We have three seniors and we have two real good freshmen, Ashley Montgomery and Bobbi Jo Buhlman, who have made our team a lot better."

While Plezbert and Khouri are softball players who bring competitiveness to the table on a daily basis, Ciran provides spirit for the North Stars.

"She's our cheerleader out there," said Madej. "When she gets rolling, she gets the team pumped and she keeps everyone in high spirits."

St. Charles East, which won the third game, 919-880, received a superb performance from junior Katherine Sulaitis, who topped the 200 mark in all three games.

After recording scores of 207 and 202, Sulaitis saved her best for last as she finished with a 256 on the way to a 665 series. She began the third game with six consecutive strikes before admittedly feeling some tension on her seventh throw.

"I started thinking about a 300," admitted Sulaitis, whose personal-best game of 278 was briefly in jeopardy. "I've done better than six strikes to start a game but you do get shakier."

Emily Brown (516 series), Allison Heuer (504), Angela Solis (491) and Vicki Banas (479) also participated for the Saints.

"We're doing pretty well actually," said Saints coach Mary Ann Carrell, whose team began the year with back-to-back wins over East Aurora and South Elgin before beating Geneva last week.

"The teams we want to beat the most—we don't quite come through against or else we're inspiring them," added Carrell. "They (St. Charles North) said this was the best they've bowled."

While Sulaitis definitely was on her game Thursday, she could have used a little more help from her teammates, according to Carrell.

"That's probably Katherine's best series but a couple of them weren't on their game tonight," said Carrell.