Slowinski leads team with 177 average.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
IC Catholic Prep boys bowling coach Sarah Palandri has noticed one specific improvement with her 2017-2018 team thus far.
“We are performing well at our day-long tournaments,” she said. “We are staying competitive with teams similar to ours. Recently, we hosted our Knight Invite and were ninth out of 12 teams. Last year, we finished with fewer total pins and as a result finished lower. The team has competed in a few tournaments with Baker games (5-person team that combines to bowl one game with each person bowling two frames within the game) and have done well.”
In other recent action the Knights lost to St. Edward and Hinsdale South.
On the season, CJ Slowinski was leading the team with a 177 average. Ian Rickert was averaging a 150, while Vince Cerasuolo was averaging a 140.
“Many of our bowlers have become more consistent,” said Palandri. “Although we have our moments, our scores are pretty consistent each match.”
Like any bowling coach will say, Palandri is encouraging her bowlers to continue to work on picking up spares.
“Open frames are detrimental to our scores and we are leaving far too many frames open,” she said. “We also need to work on throwing a good first ball after we mark with a spare.”
Palandri added she would like to see the team continue to improve in dual matches. “We struggle staying competitive in these after-school matches,” she said. “But I know with time we will see improvement.”
On the individual side, Rickert has taken his game forward recently. “Ian has really stepped up his game,” said Palandri. “He has had some high games at just the right time in recent matches to keep us competitive.”
The Knights head to the Glenbard East Ram Invitational on Dec. 27 before dual matches with Glenbard East (Jan. 8) and Hinsdale Central (Jan. 9) close out the regular season ahead of regional action on Jan. 13.
“I am proud of the improvements we have made since the beginning of the year,” said Palandri. “We are more competitive in our tournaments and we are constantly surprising ourselves when the tournament score sheets come out.”
