Ike, Utica bowlers shine at county competition By Jon Malavolti STERLING HEIGHTS — No communities made more of an impact on the Jan. 23 Macomb County Team and Singles Championships than Utica and Shelby Township. Eisenhower’s boys and girls bowling teams both made the finals of their respective competitions, while Utica, especially on the boys side, provided some impressive individual performances at Sunnybrook Lanes in Sterling Heights. Ike’s guys ended up winning the team title, while the Eagles girls team finished second to Fair Haven Anchor Bay. “To have two (teams) in the final of a tournament is phenomenal,” Utica Stevenson coach and tournament host Tom Stockton said. “You have to be good and lucky.” Utica’s Brent Pawlicki, meanwhile, led a contingent of four Chieftains who finished in the top 11, claiming the individual title for himself. Ike’s Lorina Accetta came close to the top spot in the girls competition, taking third place. It marked the second year in a row that a member of the Chieftains won the boys title. Jeff Kulin, who finished in 11th place this year, won the title last season, just edging out Pawlicki for the crown. Pawlicki said some recent training sessions with Utica boys coach John Mazza helped him roll an impressive 258-258-214 three-game set to secure the title. “We have been working on my swing a lot during practice,” Pawlicki said. “I was really confident going into the tournament; my swing felt on target and really smooth.” The Utica senior said the trophy is the biggest he’s won “so far.” Unfortunately for Pawlicki and his Chieftains teammates, their early success at the tournament didn’t transfer to the latter part of the day, as they were beaten by Macomb Dakota in the first round of team knockout play. Utica’s girls team — which saw Heather Rochon, Janine Baranski and Kaitlyn Dicker all turn in solid individual performances, finishing in 28th, 29th and 45th, respectively —also fell in the first round of the team competition. The Eagles, though, found their rhythm in the knockout stages. Ike’s boys topped St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, Center Line High, Warren De La Salle and Armada in the final en route to winning the title — something of a surprise to their coach, Mike Pollak. “We’ve been struggling this whole season so far,” Pollak said after the Eagles picked up their trophy. “I’ve only got one senior this year; we lost five seniors from the varsity last year. None of these guys have any experience — and it’s showed. “But they were pretty consistent. Some of the kids bowled pretty well, and some of them were able to maintain. We got a few breaks here and there, and we did well.” The Eagles are hoping to capitalize on their newfound success and momentum moving forward. “We hope to get better. There’s always room for improvement,” Ike senior Kyle Turri said. “This is big. We haven’t won much lately, so this is big motivation for us.” Ike’s Kevin Moore, who finished 24th, was the lone representative from the team that finished in the top 50. The Eagles girls fell in the final to Fair Haven Anchor Bay after knocking off Sterling Heights High, Utica Ford II and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley. Chelsey Haske (26th), Taylor Dewilde (39th) and Danielle Craft (43rd) joined Accetta in the top 50 for Ike. For more details, photos and a video report from the county tournament, visit our Web site at www.candgnews.com. For complete tourney results, check out www.mhsibca.com. You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040. |
