Powell wins tournament title as four RTHS athletes receive All-Conference recognition

DEKALB — Pure focus allowed freshman standout Andrew Powell to overcome a slow start and lead the Rochelle Hub varsity bowling team during Tuesday evening’s Interstate 8 Conference Championship at Mardi Gras Lanes. The two-hander averaged 224.6 over his final five games after opening the tournament with a 160, winning the tournament with a 1,283 series total.

“It felt really good and I was happy that I pulled it off because I didn’t think I would have a chance,” Powell said. “I just went out there and bowled. I didn’t think about my scores. I focused in and I did my best to not become frustrated. My confidence is really high going into the regional tournament in Dixon and I performed really well the last time we bowled out there.”

Powell’s individual effort led the Rochelle Hub varsity bowling team to a third-place finish in the Interstate 8 Conference this season. Junior Sam Tracey and sophomore Logan Frye each recorded top-12 individual performances in the tournament, with Tracey rolling a 1,136 series for 12th overall and Frye shooting an 1,138 series for 11th overall. Powell and Frye were each recognized as two of the eight First-Team All-Conference bowlers in the Interstate 8 this season.

“It felt great to be named All-Conference this season, especially because last season was a struggle,” Frye said. “I wasn’t able to bowl at the conference meet last season because of COVID-19, so it was nice to be there this season and I thought I bowled really well. My rev rate has improved a lot since last season and I can hook the ball a lot more than I could last season. It’s a huge confidence booster for me and I know I can be a threat at the regional tournament.”

Rochelle recorded a 6,514 series total to finish third in the conference tournament. Junior Jonathan Alanis finished with a 1,021 series, while senior Evin Odle and freshman Levi Waddle totaled series scores of 983 and 953. Odle and Alanis were two of the six All-Conference Honorable Mentions for the season who were recognized after the tournament. The Hubs (8-7, 5-3 Interstate 8) will bowl in the IHSA Dixon Regional at Plum Hollow on Saturday at 9 a.m.

“I think we could’ve bowled a little better, but we still placed in the top-3 and I think we can do better if we communicate with each other more,” Powell said. “We need to cheer each other on and throw good shots if we want to achieve our goals at the regional this weekend.”

Rochelle opened the conference tournament with team scores of 1,031, 1,010 and 1,097 over the first three games. Tracey rolled his series-best 213 in the first game, while Powell fired a 227 in the second game and Frye notched a series-best 235 during the third game. 

The Hubs finished strong, recording team scores of 1,149, 1,110 and 1,157 over the final three games. Powell shot a series-best 267 and Tracey added a 204 during the fourth game, while three bowlers including Waddle (225), Frye (215) and Powell (209) earned top scores in the fifth game. Powell’s 224 and Odle’s series-best 201 highlighted Rochelle’s effort in the sixth game.