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NewsTribune/BCR boys bowling preview capsules · Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

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  News Tribune BCR Boys Bowling Preview Capsules. This
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  article is being read by an automated voice brought to you by
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  Everlet. With the boys bowling season getting underway Saturday with the Mendota
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  Invitational, here’s a look at all the teams in the NewsTribune/BCR area.
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  La Salle-Peru
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  Coach: Randy Gunia
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  Top returning bowlers: Aiden McCray, sr; Grady Sandor, sr; Nathan Leffers, jr.
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  Worth noting: The Cavaliers will look to McCray, Sandor and Leffers to
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  lead the way. McCray, the 2025-26 NewsTribune Boys Bowler of the Year,
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  had a 204 average and placed 35th at state last season, while
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  Sandor had a 193 average and Leffers had a 177 average. The
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  Cavaliers have a group of 15 other bowlers who are in the
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  mix to round out the varsity lineup. We are looking for the
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  experienced varsity bowlers, since they have been at the 40-plus team tournaments
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  with hundreds in attendance, and similarly the duals with a quiet, almost
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  1-1 fan/bowler ratio, to lead by both example and words, Gunia said.
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  The experienced bowlers will hopefully both hype and calm the younger players
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  and create a continued winning culture. Last year with a more veteran
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  roster, the Cavaliers placed second at the regional and came just three
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  pins shy of a state tournament berth. Making state is always a
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  goal for the team and individuals, Gunia said.
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  St. Bede
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  Coach: Eric Acuncius
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  Returning bowlers: Evan Jasiek, so; Garrett Kelly, so.
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  Newcomers: Eli Finley, fr; Blake Cyrocki, fr.
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  Worth noting: Acuncius takes over the Bruins program this fall, replacing longtime
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  coach Buck Emmerling. The Bruins currently have just four bowlers on the
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  roster. We’re hoping to have a full six-man roster at some point,
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  Acuncius said. We just want them to improve week to week and
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  get some experience.
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  Hall
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  Coach: Nate Diaz
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  Top returning bowlers: Smith Carruthers, so; Mason Bickett, so; Blake Miller, so;
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  Chris Fara, jr.
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  Key newcomers: Devin Seers, fr; Luke Gambiani, fr.
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  Worth noting: The Red Devils have a young roster with just one
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  senior, but still return the bulk of last year’s varsity lineup as
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  Hall looks to move up the ladder in regional play. We have
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  a lot of new kids, Diaz said. But I think we will
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  have a pretty good team. Smith is going to be the one
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  to look out for this year, and I’m interested in seeing what
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  the new freshmen will have in store for us.
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  Mendota
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  Coach: Matt Ramer
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  Top returning bowlers: Cole Nosalik, sr; Toby Bulin, sr; Lukas Nelson, sr;
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  Corbin Doll, jr; Landen Sutis, jr; Jaxen Daley, so.
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  Key newcomers: Parker Ramer, fr; Bentley Bejster, fr.
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  Worth noting: Matt Ramer, a Mendota graduate, takes over the program from
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  Matt Bauer. I’m nervous but very optimistic, Ramer said. The kids are
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  excited. Coaching at my alma mater is special. Bowling has been part
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  of me since I was 5 years old at the old Bowl
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  Air in Mendota. Although this is my first coaching opportunity, I have
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  been the youth bowling instructor at the Mendota Elks Lodge. The Trojans
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  return six bowlers with experience among their 14-player roster. The strength of
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  our team right now is hopefully our returning bowlers experience, Matt Ramer
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  said. I hope they will be able to help our younger players
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  develop. So far, I’ve seen improvement in the practices we’ve had. Freshmen
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  Parker Ramer and Bejster are expected to be contributors. I look forward
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  to Parker as he has the potential to be a top bowler
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  in the area, Matt Ramer said. Being a freshman, there may be
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  some growing pains, but he will start the season on varsity. Bentley
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  has had great practice, and I think he will also contribute to
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  the varsity team this season at some point.