Improved RBHS boys bowlers on an early roll

Last season’s official debut of the Riverside Brookfield High School boys bowling team also was the introduction to the sport for senior Finn Lubeck.

“We weren’t very competitive. We would go to games and it was kind of fun,” Lubeck said. “We were getting better, I guess, but we never had a chance against teams. This year it’s way different. A major improvement.”

The Bulldogs haven’t needed long to show their progress. They’ve won their last two Upstate Eight Conference series and one game in two of their three losses for 12 conference points. The Bulldogs won two series all of last season, both against West Aurora, to finish eighth in the UEC with a 2-14 series record and 9 points.

“We were losing by a lot of pins last year and it was hard to come by [winning] games,” RBHS coach Philip McGovern said. 

“The goal for the season is for everybody to get better. That’s a very generic answer, but I think we have a chance to steal a match or two in conference. Also our goal would be to get some kids into sectionals.”

Last season, the Bulldogs finished 10th at the Glenbard East Regional (4,770). 
Sophomore Teddy Kowalski (1,081, 238 high game) and Lubeck (1,019, 200 high game) bowled all six games and were high scorers. Kowalski was 75 pins from the last individual sectional qualifier. Seniors Jaden Barrett, Eric Cardenas, Andres Gasca and Chrisson Nayksor and Eddie Schook and sophomore Jacob Jones also return. Seniors Santiago Medellin and Jacob Retana are newcomers.

Five points are awarded each UEC dual – one point for each game won and two for the three-game series winner. 

RBHS took all five points in beating Larkin 2,537 to 2,250 Thursday and West Aurora 2,495 to 2,008 Nov. 18. The respective high series and games were Kowalski (542) and Barrett (199) against Larkin and Barrett (524) and Lubeck (222) against West Aurora. 

The Bulldogs won one game in dual losses to Bartlett and Streamwood; Kowalski (133) and Jones (124) had last year’s No. 1 and 4 overall season averages. McGovern said they and others worked during the offseason to improve their games significantly. 

Lubeck said he’s improved about 30 pins per game. As a team, RBHS is scoring roughly more than 100 pins higher per game.

“I played a lot over the summer in a league and bowled pretty much every week,” Lubeck said. “Ultimately, the goal is to get to state but first we’ve got to win as a team before that.”

LTHS boys bowling

Lyons Township junior Anthony Bonilla of Brookfield hopes to reach the state meet with plenty of new varsity teammates.

“We have a lot of new sophomores on the teams,” Bonilla said. “We were mostly senior-heavy last year so I’m excited to get to know the new people on varsity.”

The Lions seek their fourth state berth in the past five seasons following a seventh-place finish at the Naperville Central Sectional (5,701) in 2025, three places from qualifying as a team. Bonilla (961, 212 high game) bowled five of the six sectional games, senior James Praser (369) two and senior Logan Allison (167) one.

The key this season will be the progress of senior Kyle Mycek and junior Wyatt Knutson in the No. 4-5 spots and four sophomores – Kai Lan Strong, Rashad Flowers, Ben Sherman and Aidan Patterson. After one of their lower season-opening scores at the Glenbrook North Invite Nov. 8 (5,116), the Lions defeated Andrew 2,916-2,737 Nov. 11 and Hinsdale South 3,370-2,765 Nov. 13. 

“When you add up our [best] scores, we’re right there,” LTHS coach Gary Morrill said. “What I’m looking for is some of these sophomores to progress and push some of the other guys hopefully. (They) just started bowling last year. What’s inconsistent is their spare shots so once we can get that down, I think we’ll be fine.” 

At last year’s Glenbard East Regional, Bonilla was 14th (1,232 series, 242 high game). Praser and Allison again bowled two games and one, respectively.

“We’re going to be practicing a lot (as a team), working hard, trying to get better over time,” Praser said. “We’re not going to start too hot, but I know we’ll peak at the right time of the season.” 

As a freshman, Bonilla was part of the Lions’ third straight team state qualifier.
Bonilla was 62nd individually (2,292) after advancing to the second day with a 60th-place 1,203 the first day. The Lions were 18th (5,696). This season, he’s averaging about 200 pins per game. 

“I feel like I’ve put more time and dedication into it because I knew it was going to be a harder season,” Bonilla said. “I think I’ve spent more time focusing on it and prioritizing it.”