Glenbrook North, Evanston keep eyes on prize

In only its third season as a program, the Glenbrook North boys bowling team advanced to the state meet by claiming the championship of the Vernon Hills Sectional held at Brunswick Zone Hawthorn.

Glenbrook North earned the crown with 6,026 pins, edging out runner-up Vernon Hills (5,957), which also made the state cut. The state meet is set for Friday and Saturday at St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon.

The Spartans stood in second place at the lunch break, trailing leader Lake Zurich 3,099-3,050 after three games. Glenbrook North jumped into the lead at 4,992-4,952 over Lake Zurich after five games and rolled a collective 1,034 in Game 6 to hold off Vernon Hills. Lake Zurich finished third with 5,871.

“It’s unbelievable, words can’t come to my mouth,” said Jacob Townsend, one of four seniors who were members of the program’s initial campaign. “To be able to see the growth, it feels amazing. I’m happy I was able to come through for the team.”

Townsend finished 19th overall at the sectional with 1,161 pins. Glenbrook North was led by senior Tim Schultz, who finished fifth overall with 1,269, and sophomore Corey Kahen, who placed sixth with 1,262. Senior Ryan Salzman was next for the Spartans, finishing 14th with 1,161, and senior Daniel Doolan contributed with 1,135, good for 22nd place.

“They were the ones (Townsend, Schultz, Salzman and Doolan) who came to me as sophomores to start a program — and now they’re the backbone of our team,” Spartans coach Todd Rubin said. “The program wouldn’t exist without those four.”

Ross shines

The Evanston boys bowling team finished last among 15 squads at the Vernon Hills Sectional on Saturday, but the Wildkits did have something to be pleased about: a team-best, 26th-place overall finish by senior Savon Ross.

Ross concluded his Evanston career with a total of 1,101 pins in the sectional held at Brunswick Zone Hawthorn. He entered the lunch break in 22nd place, bowling 191-214-167—572 in the first three games, and closed out with a 210-139-180—529 run.

“He started out the season as one of our top guys, went into a little lull, and then came out of it,” first-year Wildkits coach Harold Bailey said. “He became a little more patient and loose, throwing the ball and not thinking as much.

Savon’s a gamer — when we need him, he gets in there — but his mental portion has stepped up to the level of his opponents.”

Ross added: “The slump I was in, I was trying to force it too much. Coach said to calm down and have fun, and that worked out for me.”

Evanston finished with 4,492 pins, nine behind 14th-place Loyola. Sophomore Xavier Ajamia (1,032) placed 41st, while sophomore Jackson Honnold (728), senior Quinn Thoren (724) and junior Ben Maloney (711) respectively finished 61st, 62nd and 63rd among 98 competitors.

Textor advances

New Trier junior Andrew Textor earned his way to the state tournament by finishing fourth at the Vernon Hills Sectional with 1,271 pins. The rest of the Trevians weren’t as fortunate. New Trier was seventh as a team with 5,431 pins.