During the girls’ journey to their IHSA Regional in Salem on February 8th, they placed seventh place out of 14 teams. Only the top four placing teams advance to IHSA Sectionals as a whole team, however, when it comes to individual scores, the top 30 are allowed to advance. Jaylan Blake (11) and Julia Mohr (11) were a part of this top 30. Mohr states that because the team this year is young, they are experiencing a year of growth opposed to victory. 

When asked about their expectations at their sectional competition in O’Fallon this weekend, Blake said, “I’m just happy to make it out of regionals, but I would love to advance as a team next year.” The team consists of three juniors, one of them being a foreign exchange student, and three freshmen. Because they are in the midst of a “rebuilding year,” both Mohr and Blake are pleased with how their regional played out. 

Since these girls are growing together as a team this year, practice is their main focus. “We practice for an hour and a half on average, sometimes longer, on a daily basis,” states Mohr. During practice the girls often find themselves starting practice with a one-step drill, then moving into pull approach and spare shooting. Spare shooting is shooting whatever is left after a shot and full approach is what leads up to making your shot. 

A week on the girls bowling team would consist of bowling two or three matches throughout the week during the season and spending weekends at tournaments. “Bowling is a sport of concentration so we keep our focus on making good shots” and I have not been disappointed this season yet,” says Mohr as she prepares for state.