Without a reasonable chance for the Lyons Township High School boys bowling team to still qualify for state, its five seniors united Saturday. For the first time this season, seniors Nolan Deines, Danny Haley, Conner Krisher, Gabe Paszyna and Ryan Calhoun competed as a lineup for an emotional sixth and final game of the Naperville Central Sectional at Lisle Lanes.
“We had our Senior Night but still normally everyone else got to bowl [their spots]. Getting put in with all of my teammates that are seniors, honestly, made me feel a lot better,” Krisher said. “I wanted to spend that last game with those people I wouldn’t get to see again. It was a great, better vibe to get to bowl with people you don’t normally get to bowl with that were there on your side.”
Things were about to get even more emotional for Deines. Thinking the Lions’ entire season was over, he was pleasantly stunned to learn he qualified individually by being the last of five bowlers with the highest six-game totals not among the four advancing teams. Deines’ personal-best 1,231 series (205.2 average) with a 246 third game was on the bubble after five games, but he bowled a 177 sixth game.
Deines, who got the last spot by four pins, bowled one game at state for the team in 2024.
“I didn’t expect to make it. I’m glad I did. Thank God,” Deines said. “After that last game, I didn’t want to hear anything about the scores. I blocked it all out. If I do make it, then I’m excited. I didn’t even think about myself (qualifying) until the sixth game.”
The Lions, going for an unprecedented fourth straight state berth, were seventh (5,701). Haley (tied for 25th, 1,180) also bowled all six games. Sophomore Anthony Bonilla (961, 212 high game) and Paszyna (859) bowled five games, Krisher (748, 230 high game) four, junior James Praser (369) two and Calhoun (186) and junior Logan Allison (167) one each. Krisher and Bonilla are Brookfield residents.
Individual sectional qualifiers from Nazareth Academy were juniors Joey Diaz (60th, 1,038) and Chris Martinez (64th, 1,015).
The Lions qualified for state last year by getting then fifth and last sectional spot by 41 pins with a 6,207. They were third at regionals Jan. 18 with a 6,020.
“This group of boys learned to lose like men. I just really appreciated the way they handled (not qualifying as a team),” LTHS coach Gary Morrill said.
The Lions practiced twice at Lisle Lanes preceding sectionals. Deines said he thus switched to a different ball, which he also sanded down to increase friction with the oily lanes to help the break toward the pocket.
“What I brought (to sectionals) regarding my equipment would have been completely different. That knowledge from practicing [at Lisle Lanes] was kind of my saving grace and gave me confidence,” Deines said.
Haley and Bonilla bowled six games at state last year. Haley also bowled five state games as a sophomore.
“It’s still a little disappointing not making it my senior year but I couldn’t ask for a better season with better people,” Haley said.
Haley recalled bowing a perfect 300 game on his own Christmas Eve as a junior.
Krisher bowled a 297 at practice Jan. 14 at the Lions’ home Rolling Lanes.
“One (strike) away from a perfect game. It was very, very nervewracking. I’d never gotten that close (to 300),” Krisher said.
Bonilla will return as the veteran after achieving a personal-best 810 three-game series in December. He hopes to improve his rate of spare conversions and finding his release line.
Bonilla could have bowled the sixth game and maybe tied Dienes with a 270, but instead gladly watched the seniors’ final fling.
“I know that’s the best thing for them, the seniors. They’re all going to have fun and I respect that,” Bonilla said. “It’s really more just having a good time and making sure it’s a good ending for them.”