Girls bowling miss state but reflect on season
Seniors have high hopes for future seasons and recount team improvements
On Feb. 15 the girls bowling team traveled to Waukegan to bowl in the IHSA Sectionals at Sunset Lanes and just missed going to the state tournament.
The girls finished 10th with 4994 pins, just ahead of Evanston with 4940 pins and behind Niles North with 4995 pins.
The winners of the team and individual events will go downstate to Rockford to compete for the Trevs. Coach David Hjelmgren couldn’t be prouder of the team’s success this season.
“It was a team effort. I thought they were phenomenal. They rose above all expectations and are a great unit. They work hard, they are all good people and I’m excited at what they’ve accomplished this year. I can’t wait to work with them, especially our sophomores, again next year. They always bowl with a purpose and practice with a purpose.”
The day got off to a dramatic start when sophomore Maya Palomino slammed her finger in the door coming into the bowling alley. After a trip to the hospital to confirm her finger was not broken, she did not bowl.
“I know I can always be there for my team even if I’m not bowling. It’s always for them, it’s always for the team.”
The girls got off to a strong start knocking 933 pins over in the first game, through the team cooled off in the next two games. The girls rebounded in the fourth game knocking down 876 pins then 821 pins in the fifth and 712 in the sixth game.
The team is almost all sophomores with seniors Sarah Hughes and Samantha Palomino leading the charge. Senior captain Hughes is excited about the future for the team.
“It’s a really young team and they are already really, really good. I know the next few years are going to be amazing.”
This season, the Trevs have been successful making it to sectionals for the first time since 2016, going 12-1. Palomino, who has been on the team since 2018, reflected on the team’s evolution.
“Last year it was a bit rocky but this year we were so strong. Everyone was on top of their game, constantly getting their new high game.”
The core group will remain the same minus the two seniors, and they look to advance to state for the first time next year.
Maya Morales, a current sophomore with the team, is ambitious for next season.
“I’m going to bowl in the offseason to help our team move forward. I want to be the best I can be to help the team advance.”
While not the finish the Trevs would have envisioned, they have made their mark on the community and will no doubt continue to do so with the strong group of girls they have with them.