Failing to advance out of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regional Tournament last season, the New Trier High School varsity girls bowling team is now out for redemption. The team is setting its sights on returning to the state tournament for the second time in program history and the first time since 2022 when it placed No. 15. 

So far this season, the Trevians lead the Central Suburban League (CSL) with a 6-0 record. That may change on Wednesday, Jan. 15, as they compete against 2024 state qualifier Evanston Township High School. 

Having edged out the Trevians for first place in last year’s CSL Conference Tournament and retained the coveted, 11-year-old traveling trophy known as “The Pin,” Evanston enters the upcoming match with the upper hand.

Senior and captain Ariella Petersen said she is nervous about the Evanston match but understands she cannot control the other team’s performance. That means taking advantage of practice time, even if New Trier ultimately loses. 

“They’ve had off days before. We’ve had off days before,” Petersen said. “We’ll see what happens.”

Wednesday is just one of two matches against Evanston this season, the second being Jan. 23. The IHSA State Tournament will take place about a month later on Feb. 21-22. Head coach David Hjelmgren said this year’s team is favorable to the one that went to state three years ago. 

“If they do what I think they’re capable of and have a good run, I think they can make the state tournament,” Hjelmgren said. 

With a varsity roster of four seniors, many of whom have been on the team since freshman year, they want this season to be special. 

“It’s our last chance to do something big,” senior and captain Becky Witzel said. 

Witzel said she achieved a personal best of 241 this season. That came after taking private lessons and attending a weekly league hosted by one of the team’s coaches since last spring. 

“It’s a lot higher than before so that was exciting, and [it happened] in a match too,” Witzel said. 

As the team prepares to usher in a younger team next year, they repeat the same feat that was placed upon them after the 2021-2022 season: recruiting freshmen. 

When students join the team, many have not bowled competitively before. 

“You kind of just start from scratch and everyone’s the same level,” Witzel said. 

For the rising juniors and seniors on the team, Petersen said they have what it takes to rise to the challenge next season. 

“The younger people on the team are very dedicated to practicing in the offseason,” Petersen said. 

The team’s commitment to improve at an an individual level may lead them to bowl at state. 

“I do think that we have the capability of getting there and if we really focus and work hard, we could do it,” Petersen said.