Boys Bowling: Balanced Andrew eager for state

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Updated: February 27, 2012 9:49AM

Heading into this week’s state meet, Andrew boys bowling coach Mark Lobes feels his team has an advantage over the other 23 in the field in at least one department.

“I think we’ll be the most comfortable team at state,” he said. “In terms of experience, we’ve got it. These boys don’t fear state. They’re eager for it.”

The tournament kicks off Friday at St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon when all the qualifying teams and individuals will bowl six games each. The field will be cut in half before six more games Saturday.

Lobes is confident that if his team is in striking distance going into the final day, the Thunderbolts will have a good shot at their third state title and first since 2006.

“If we can end Friday in the top three, I think we can handle the pressure Saturday and we’ll have a chance,” he said.

Four of Andrew’s top bowlers — seniors Josh Powell, Josh Dory and Kyle Damon and junior Kyle Krol —got state experience last season, when the Thunderbolts finished sixth.

They’ve had experience — and thrived — on big stages this season as well, winning titles at two of the regular season’s most prestigious tournaments at Plainfield North and Vernon Hills. At the former, they topped six of the teams they’ll see at state.

While the Thunderbolts may not have a top contender in the individual race, they thrive on balance.

Powell has led them most of the season, but when he was a bit off Saturday at the Andrew Sectional, Dory and Justin Finnen stepped up, finishing eighth and 10th, respectively, to lead the squad to a sectional title.

“We’ve bonded so well as a team this year,” Powell said. “We’re bowling well as a team and we’re confident.”

In the individual race, Sandburg senior Joey Kopera may be the Southland’s top contender. He finished fifth at state last season and is coming off impressive performances in winning the SouthWest Suburban Blue meet and the Andrew Sectional.

“I want to beat last year’s finish,” Kopera said. “I think the experience from last year will really help. I think I’ll have more confidence going into it and I know what to expect.”

Richards brings momentum into the state meet after winning the South Suburban Red and Hinsdale South Sectional, while St. Rita and Lincoln-Way East pulled off sectional surprises to advance and Oak Lawn is at state for the eighth time in nine years.