Oak Lawn sparing no energy in search of strikes

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Oak Lawn's boys bowling team hopes to get on a good roll at the state meet this week in O'Fallon. | Supplied photo

Updated: January 23, 2012 12:23AM

When the Oak Lawn boys bowling team boards a van early Thursday morning for its five-hour trek to the IHSA state finals in O’Fallon, senior Matt Taraba should be the lead navigator.

“I’m very familiar with St. Clair Bowl in O’Fallon,” Taraba said with a big smile of the site. “This is the second time I’ll be bowling at state, and before that my mom took me down there to watch my older brother, Chris, compete. He was on four Oak Lawn teams that went to state.”

Taraba and classmate Chris Duran are two of the leaders on an Oak Lawn squad that earned state qualification by winning the Hinsdale South Sectional at Willowbrook Lanes.

Duran used a 267 game to lead the Spartans with a 1,338 (223 average) six-game pinfall total. Taraba was next at 1,266 (211 average), followed by sophomores Ryan Campin (1,248/208) and Ken Vandewerken (1,228/204) and junior Cody Marek (1,099/183). Juniors Mike Pontrelli, Dan Pfister and Adam Quiroz complete coach Kevin McKeown’s state lineup.

Oak Lawn’s 6,179 pinfall total in sectional play was eighth-highest in the state.

Duran, who’s in just his second year bowling for the Spartans, shares Taraba’s passion for the sport and the urgency of having a weekend to remember.

“We have a team that can qualify for the finals on Saturday,” said Duran, who was a basketball player for two years at Oak Lawn before being convinced by McKeown that glory could be found on the lanes.

“I had enjoyed bowling in the youth leagues and figured I could help our bowling team more than I was in basketball.”

Duran, who also plays volleyball for the Spartans, was a sixth grader in 2005 when his 14-year-old brother, Dominic, died tragically, 10 days after collapsing during a baseball practice at Oak Lawn.

Chris said Dominic loved to play all kinds of sports, including bowling. He always will be inspired by Dominic.

“Dom was a good bowler,” Chris said. “He could average in the 200s. I think about him a lot. He taught me so much about sports. I looked up to him. I know he would be proud of what we’ve accomplished in bowling.”

Taraba and his pals have experienced two key emotional moments in recent weeks.

“The (South Suburban Red) conference meet was at our home lanes (Palos Lanes) and we finished in fourth place,” Taraba said. “We were overconfident and it showed. We learned a lesson.

“Before leaving for the sectional, we were standing in the lobby at Oak Lawn, looking at the trophy case. Coach McKeown pointed to the sectional team trophy Oak Lawn won in 2007 and said, ‘Let’s win another plaque like that one.’

“We were really fired up when we got to Willowbrook. We shot an 1,147 in one game. It was our day. That’s how we have to bowl at state.”

This is Oak Lawn’s fifth team trip to state in the past six years.

The Spartans have been unable to make it to Saturday’s finals, when the field is narrowed to 12 teams. In 2009, Oak Lawn missed the Saturday experience by just 12 pins.

“We were so close,” said Taraba, who hopes to attend Triton College and major in graphic design. “Sure, you’re going to be nervous at state, but you’ve got to stay focused and pick up your spares.

“Being at state is such a cool experience. It’s a great atmosphere. You’re representing your high school against the best teams in the state. You’ve got to enjoy the moment.”

McKeown, who earns praise from his bowlers for his keen motivational skills, believes this Oak Lawn team has the right ingredients to be a state contender.

“These kids love new challenges,” he said. “They’re ready for the state tournament.”

And to roll into history.