Spartans Hand Rival Raiders First Bowling Loss of Season

It's always a nice feeling when your team can hand an undefeated squad its first loss of the season. And when that opponent is one of your rivals, it's even sweeter.

That's what unfolded for Romeoville's boys bowlers on Monday when they took on District 365-U rivals Bolingbrook in a nonconference dual meet.

The Raiders won the first and third games, but the Spartans took the middle game by 187 pins to help Romeoville to a 3,213-3,085 win at Lockport's Strike 'N Spare II Lanes.

Romeoville (3-1) put together scores of 1,010, 1,157 and 1,046, while Bolingbrook (7-1) finished with totals of 1,061, 970 and 1,054.

"We've been bowling good all season, but we haven't yet had all of them bowl well all at the same time," Spartans coach Tony Talley said. "Right now we're not bowling up to our expectations.

"We have a real nice mix this season. These guys are characters, which keeps everything loose in practices and in our matches. The kids are having fun, but sometimes I have to refocus them."

In the decisive middle game, all six Spartans posted scores of 207 or higher. Meanwhile, only one Raider broke the 200 mark in that game.

Bolingbrook's best game was the opener, when four of its bowlers turned in scores of 210 or higher to give Spartans an early 51-pin advantage.

Although edged by eight pins in the finale, Romeoville again had all six of its individuals posting scores of 202 or better.

The top performer in the competition was Bolingbrook's Chris Landry, who finished with scores of 234, 237 and 214 for a 685 total.

Leading the way for the Spartans was senior Cal Kramer, who turned in a 673 effort, thanks to games of 214, 235 and 224.

"I'm happy with how we're doing so far, other than losing to Oswego," Kramer said. "It was nice to beat Bolingbrook, especially when they came in with a 7-0 record.

"We have pretty good chemistry and have known each other for awhile. Everyone has been bowling well and as long as we pick up our spares, it will be a good season."

Romeoville also received three 200-plus games from Corey McReady (227-224-206-657) and freshman Dakota Vostry (204-229-203-636).

Will Thompson added a 627 total, featuring a 252 in Game 2, senior Jesus Reyes rolled a 620 and Jacob Young contributed a 568.

Next-best for the Raiders were Bart Montecinos, who used a 232 in the opener for a 604 total, and Dominic De la Vega, who had a 579 thanks to a 217 in Game 1.

Matt Tobbe had a 532, Robbie Johnson (375) and Curtis Jackson (342) played two games and Steve Sceerey (244) and Doug Michalec (225) competed during the finale.

"I'm really happy so far," Reyes said. "We've beaten two tough teams already —unbeaten Bolingbrook today and Plainfield Central in a conference meet at their house.

"A lot of teachers told me today that we couldn't let Bolingbrook beat us. What I like about our team is we have a few good older guys and some talented young guys."

The two schools also met in a girls meet a few lanes over, and the Spartans again got the better of the Raiders, this time by a 2,368-2,075 score.

Romeoville had games of 771, 781 and 816, while Bolingbrook's best score came in the opener, when it posted a 704 total.

Leading the Spartans were Jessica Wall (523), Kimmy Scharneck (474), Nicole Jeffrey (468), Erin Richards (433), Casey Voogd (431) and Kaitlyn Maquera (423).