Boys Bowling: Minooka Sectional as good as it gets

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Romeoville sophomores Kyle Zaremba (left) and Dakota Vostry. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 21, 2012 8:30AM

It’s difficult to comprehend that it’s harder to finish among the top two of a 16-team tournament than it is at a 24-team invitational.

Just ask any coach or player about the Minooka Sectional as compared with the state meet.

The toughest sectional in the state, which features seven of the top 15 teams in Illinois, will be held Saturday at Channahon Lanes.

The top two teams, top two individuals of non-qualifying teams and six at-large qualifiers from across the state, based on fewest pins behind the second qualifier, will advance to the state meet Jan. 27 and 28 at St. Clair Bowl in downstate O’Fallon.

The past five years, the two local sectional qualifiers have gone on to place in the top 10 at the state meet. The same is expected this year.

The local teams entered (with rankings) are Lemont, No. 5 Lockport, Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way West.

Also in the sectional are No. 10 Bolingbrook, Joliet Central, No. 14 Joliet West, Lemont, No. 15 Minooka, Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way West, No. 9 Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Plainfield North, Plainfield South and No. 6 Romeoville.

“Once again, we got a great draw for sectionals,” Lockport coach Jeff Wyatt said with a laugh. “It’s my opinion, and other coaches in the area, we’re in the toughest sectional in the state. I don’t know if it will ever get split up. We may be destined to be in that group forever.”

It’s been three years since Lockport advanced as a team to the state meet. This year, the Porters enter the meet fresh off winning the SouthWest Suburban Conference title.

In 2011, Plainfield Central and Romeoville, of the Southwest Prairie Conference, advanced and placed in the top 10 downstate.

“It’s going to be a tough meet, but I believe we’ve been one of the most consistent teams all year,” Romeoville coach Tony Talley said.

No. 2 Oswego also should challenge for one of the top two spots after winning its fourth straight SPC championship Saturday. Romeoville entered the meet with the lead, but failed to hold it.

“I can’t wait until next week,” Romeoville’s Dakota Vostry said. “We’re going to work on picking up our spares. It’s all a mental game right now. We have to keep our heads in it.”