Key leaders back for boys bowling
HUNTLEY — Fresh from winning the initial Fox Valley Conference – Kishwaukee Valley Conference (KRC-FVC) championship, led by the new league’s bowler of the year Matt Fishman, Huntley’s boys bowling team is primed for more success.
The senior leaders returning this year are: Fishman, Joey Humphrey, Austin Tenglin, Noah Waters, Landen Conforti, Nick Gaspari who return to show the way for a contingent which was 13-1 in duals. Gaspari’s claim to fame last season was rolling a perfect 300 game in a dual match.
Huntley has opened the season with dual match wins over Johnsburg and Plano.
“So far we have started off hot in conference play and have been working hard on the weekends at invites,” Huntley coach Jacob Wagner said. “Big scores early from other teams last week gave us the opportunity to give some of our younger guys an opportunity to get some time up on varsity. We will continue to grow and work together throughout the season.”
Fishman has made his decision on college bowling, selecting Judson University in Elgin.
“I’ve attended a few of their practices. I was impressed with how organized they are,” Fishman said. “I want to keep bowling my best and return to state and finish in the top five.”
A total of 31 bowlers reported for the first day of practice at Bowl-Hi in Huntley.
Wagner said that the top newcomers include: juniors Zach Micho and Grant VanValkenburg and sophomores Brayden Thackwry and Devon Brown.
“Our goal is to be competitive everyday during our season, whether that is practice, in a dual meet or at a weekend tournament,” Wagner said. “We always talk to the boys about the time we have and how we should be working. Our culture has been that we are a team and this year with so many boys coming out I think we can put together a great group of guys who can mesh together and get better every day.”
The KRC-FVC will have a league tournament this season.
“There are a ton of good programs this year, Our conference is full of great bowlers. We are looking forward to compete with them weekly. There is a ton of talent in the Rockford area that we will see on Saturdays as well,” Wagner commented.
Season starts
The boys team was second at the season-opening Sycamore tournament Nov. 9.
“We finished in second place to a tough Lane Tech team in a good kickoff field. It was a great start to the season as per usual. Mardi Gras lanes always puts on a great invite and has good teams,” Wagner commented.
Huntley downed Johnsburg, 3,654 to 3,313 pins at Bowl-Hi in the season opening KRC-FVC dual Nov. 11.
Fishman led the way with a 720 total, 279 high game. Sophomore Noah Waters was next with a 641 and also had a high game of 279. Senior Joe Humphrey rolled a 647 while junior Zach Micho had a 571 and senior Nick Gaspari had a 490.
“The Johnsburg match was a great start to the conference season,” Wagner said. “We had some great sets from our team. Johnsburg is well coached, but we were able to string our strikes together and come out on top with a 9-0 win overall in points.”
Win over Plano
Plano’s squad came to Bowl Hi Lanes Nov. 13 and Huntley ended with a 3,844 to 2,525 victory and a 2-0 dual match record.
Fishman had the top score for the Red Raiders, as he rolled a 687 and the high game, 258. Austin Tenglin contributed a 661, Humphrey was next, 654, followed by Thackray’s 632 and Gaspari, 564.
