Conference-champion Gould returns for Dukes.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
On any sports team, chemistry can mean the difference between a good season and a not-so-good one.
In terms of the York girls bowling team, coach Katie Turnbull is fired up about her team’s chemistry as it heads into the 2017-2018 season.
“This is, personality-wise, the nicest, most cohesive group from the freshmen all the way to the seniors,” she said. “They are great girls who enjoy spending time together and supporting each other.”
York went 5-2 in the West Suburban Conference last year and took third. However, the Dukes were the only team from the WSC that qualified for state as a team.
“Our goal is to build throughout the season in order to peak at the right time,” said Turnbull.
Back for the Dukes are seniors Lauren Gould and Lauren Steck, as well as junior Krystyna Panek. Gould is the defending WSC champion and averaged 190 a year ago. Panek averaged 180, while Steck was at 170.
Key newcomers to the varsity include sophomores Rose Klinger and Lauren Rickenbrode, along with junior Ruby Noel. “And there are other bowlers who will be in contention to bowl varsity this season as well,” said Turnbull. “This year we probably will have more bowlers than ever competing for the top 5-6 spots, which is a good problem to have.”
Turnbull said in order for York to have success on the lanes this season, it must take to heart what one successful NFL coach said, “Do your job.”
“In a bowling lineup, every bowler has a job,” she said. “We have big scoring veteran bowlers who are capable of putting together several strikes in a row and we have new bowlers whose job it will be to close frames. It doesn’t matter if it is a strike or spare, closed frames win games. If everyone does their job, nothing can stop us this season.”
Turnbull sees the WSC as up for grabs. “I’m not sure if there is a favorite for conference,” she said. “But I’d like to think it’s us. With the varsity bowlers we have returning from last year, we could be as good as anybody in our conference as long as our new varsity members complete the task of picking up spares.”
York started its season this week.
