Sectionals

February 3, 2007 proved to be a day of surprises at the Suburban Sectionals
contested at Hebron Lanes as the Lowell boys and Hebron boys teams grabbed
the two regional qualifying spots, leaving conference champion and three time
sectional titleist Boone Grove on the outside looking in. The Red Devils built a
big lead during the regular bowling segment and managed to hang on during the
5-game baker round before rebounding to rout Hebron in the 2-game title match.
Also, surprising fans was the performance of Boone Grove freshman Jimmy
Kraushaar who rolled a 599 to lead individual qualifying and then defeated
Rensselaer's Kyler Holbrook in the championship match 214 - 195. Kraushaar,
the conference's second leading average bowler, was considered to be one of the
favorites to advance to regionals, but it was the Wolves sophomore sensation
Lynn Strohl who was expected to grab top individual honors.

Other individual boys advancing to the regionals were Boone Grove's Kevin
Zolper, Stephan Grabek, and Lynn Strohl, Lowell's Josh Manis and Derek Myers.

The girls team event was dominated by Lowell. The lady Red Devils rolled to a
nearly 300 pin advantage in qualifying and then dismantled a determined Hanover
Central squad to capture the title. Both teams will advance to the regionals in
Valparaiso.

Rensselaer's Allison Barton qualified in the fourth position, edging sectional favorite
Alicia Smith (Lowell), for the final stepladder finals position. Barton then defeated
third seeded Bridget Rogers (Hanover Central), then second seeded Jessica Azbill
(North Newton). Barton then secured the championship with a victory over
top-seeded Nicole Vauter (Lowell). Vauter garnered the spectators attention with her
qualifying performance, a tournament best 608, which included a 130 start. However,
her "never say die" attitude led to games of 255 and 223 to secure the top qualifying
spot.

Other girls advancing to regional competition are Alicia Smith (Lowell) and Sydney
Nantais (Lowell).