By Scott Taylor
Sports Editor
CHERRY VALLEY – With the El Nino in full swing, it appears the winter has brought about a new storm.
That storm would be coming from the west, as in Joliet West.
After going more than 25 years since winning a state title, Joliet West has won two titles in three weeks as the girls bowling team added another trophy to the case Saturday at Cherry Bowl.
The Tigers accomplished the rare feat of holding the lead for the final 10 games to win the state title with a 12,613.
“It means a lot, especially considering I’m a junior with all seniors,” Karlee Barton said. “It was kind of like a go big or go home thing. There was some pressure to get them the championship, but at the same time, there wasn’t because I knew they had my back if I missed a spare.”
“It means everything,” Kaylee Zukovich said. “We worked so hard for this and we did the best we could. We had our ups and downs, but we never worked harder or came together as a team as we did today. We wanted it and we came out today and took it.”
West had taken 10th the past two years at state and with its neighboring rival Lockport looking for its second straight title after beating them by 500 pins at the sectional, few thought the Tigers had a chance at the state title.
But with three girls in their third year at state (Gracie Plese, Melissa March), one of them in their fourth state appearance (Taylor Bailey), the Tigers used their teamwork and experience to hold off a host of contenders in the strongest and deepest field in state history.
“This is so amazing and such a great way to end my career with,” Plese said. “The connection we had as a team this year is the difference. We were all friends outside and inside the alley. Being there for each other is really what got us through.”
“We definitely felt the pressure because there was a lot of it,” Bailey said. “We tried very hard to keep our heads in it and not let anything get to us. We were here to win no matter what it took.”
Leading the way was Plese, who finished second in the state individually and earned her second All-State medal with a 2,736 12-game total.
“The pressure motivated us and we knew we wanted to bring it back to the school,” Plese said. “I wasn’t worried about where I was individually. I just wanted to get the pins for my team and it paid off when I made it individually, too.”
Next in line was Bailey, who also medaled for the second time, finishing 11th with a 2,618.
“I came here freshman year by myself and it wasn’t the same,” Bailey said. “My sophomore and junior year coming here as a team was a big step up. Winning state puts it all together and I could not be more proud of this team. Being here four years is great and winning, I don’t even have words to describe it.”
March (2,503), Barton (2,388) and Zukovich (2,368) contributed in the win.
“I’m really glad the team helped pick me up when I shot lower and I was glad I could make up for it with some other games,” March said. “This year we were all really close friends and we were able to mesh well together. We knew what to do to help each other get back up. We were able to keep everyone up. I’m glad I was able to overcome my nerves and help out the team.”
The win also was the first time a coach won both a girls and boys state bowling title as coach Jeff Bailey won a boys state championship with Plainfield South in 2010.
It also marked the final time he would be coaching his daughter Taylor.
“It is a very honorable feeling,” Jeff Bailey said. “Sometimes it can be difficult to coach your daughter. To come out on top, it shows her strength and mentality to focus on the lanes. We will never forget this day. This will be something we will talk about to her kids. It is really good for her.”
“Winning with my dad by my side is pretty great,” Taylor Bailey said. “We overcame our coach and player relationship because we didn’t really get along when he first started, but now we got it. To be a champion with him is the greatest feeling ever.”
Meanwhile, the Porters, who entered Saturday in fourth place – the same position they were in last year when they rallied to win, made a Saturday morning push once again, shooting a 3,261 in the morning to move into second place, 82 pins behind West, who held its own with a 3,130.
But the afternoon wasn’t kind to Lockport, which fell into third after the fourth game when it shot a 969 to Freeport’s 1,182, and it finished third with a 12,398 total. Freeport shot a 12,476.
“To come here and place first, second or third, that is great,” Mendez said. “Yes, we wanted to repeat, but to bring home a trophy, that was awesome. We grinded so hard in the afternoon. We didn’t get all the spares we needed to.”
Mendez finished off a stellar career with a 2,581 total, good for 17th place.
“It is a good end to my career,” Mendez said. “To be on Lockport and be a part of all their success makes me happy and I struck out my last frame. I’m very happy with how my career ended. It could have been better, but I’m not disappointed.
Junior Paige Reiter was 19th with a 2,578 and Bailey Delrose added a 2,456.
Minooka didn’t advance to finals as a team, but advanced junior Carmella Russell, who finished 69th with a 2,261.