The Hubs varsity bowling team failed to record a single match victory in 2016, but with nearly every player including a group of talented upperclassmen returning to the roster this winter, expectations are up for the Rochelle boys.
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ROCHELLE — The Hubs varsity bowling team failed to record a single match victory in 2016, but with nearly every player including a group of talented upperclassmen returning to the roster this winter, expectations are up for the Rochelle boys.
With their season-opening competition against Sycamore just over one week away, the Hubs returned to Rochelle’s T-Byrd Lanes on Monday to sharpen up their skills for the new year. While there weren’t many things for head coach Doug Koch to cheer about last season, Koch said he’s looking forward to what his players will bring to the lanes with more experience under their belts.
“It feels good to get them back out here on the floor and see how much they’ve matured,” Koch said. “The more experience they get, the more comfortable they feel.”
Rochelle’s top three bowlers from 2016 are all back this season including junior Brady Shank, who led the Hubs in scoring average last year. Juniors Dallas Driver and Tyler Johnson are also expected to take a step forward this winter.
“I want to see those three boys step up and help bring our other three varsity players along,” Koch said. “I want them to show some more leadership and teamwork. I want them to try really hard to get through regionals and possibly through sectionals and state.”
Mark Bratko returns as Rochelle’s lone senior with varsity experience after Justin Sandoval, Austin Cook and Robbie Kessen graduated this past year. With two varsity spot to fill, Koch said he’ll be keeping his eyes on senior Tyler Nalley and sophomore Logan Ortega, who each bowled at the junior varsity level in 2016. Freshman John Henson could also make a run at varsity playing time this season.
“We need them to stay focused and work hard,” Koch said. “Maybe they can push the returning varsity players a little bit more and put the pressure on them to hold their spots.”
The Hubs finished last in the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference while failing to qualify a single player past regionals in 2016. But with more seasoned players suiting up for Rochelle this winter, Koch said he and the team are aiming to move up the conference ladder and challenge tougher teams including Sycamore, who the Hubs will bowl on the road Tuesday, Nov. 7.
“We still had good individual scores even though we were losing matches,” Koch said. “That’s a big plus because even though it’s a team sport, they get individual points for their scoring… We’re going to work to take the next step and improve.”
