Glenbard East Athletic Director D'Wayne Bates, a former Chicago Bears wide receiver, presents a medal to Shepard's Kahlen Ranson at the state bowling meet on Feb. 18. Ranson placed fifth at the tournament. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Girls Bowling State Finals | Shepard’s Kahlen Ranson rolls to fifth at Cherry Bowl
By Randy Whalen
Correspondent
While most competitors at the IHSA girls bowling state finals had practice time on the lanes the day before the tournament started, Kahlen Ranson did not.
That worked out just fine for the Shepard senior.
Ranson polished off her high school career by rolling a two-day total of 2562 to place fifth in state at The Cherry Bowl in Rockford. The fifth-place finish was the best ever for an Astros girl bowler.
Ranson rolled an even 1300, with a high game of 244, on the tournament’s first day Feb. 17. She followed that with a 1262 on the second day, with a high game of 238.
She finished 201 pins behind the individual champion, St. Charles East senior Lida Burgos.
Ranson did not practice at The Cherry Bowl on Feb. 16 because she was at a certified nursing assistant program at Moraine Valley Community College.
“But I knew I was fine,” she said. “I was here with the team last year. I didn’t bowl the greatest then, but I just had to trust in myself.”
Her total this season was more than 400 pins better than her performance at state last season (2142), when the Astros placed ninth.
Ranson, who will continue her bowling career at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, said finishing fifth at state was an emotional experience.
“I’m really proud of myself, and in my last game I was looking back at all the progress I made the past two years,” she said.
Super freshman
Richards freshman Ulyssa Garcia will be looking to make progress over the next three years. She made it to the second day and placed 31st overall with a total of 2346.
“I was nervous, but my mindset was to do well on my spares and I did that,” Garcia said. “I was pretty happy to be here, and I just want to keep my mindset up at all times next season.”
Garcia had an 1153 score, with a high of 257, on the first day. She had a high game of 235 on the second day.
“I couldn’t be any more proud of her,” Richards coach Ed Fink said. “She got to see what it’s like here. The future is bright for Richards bowling with all five starters back for next season.”
In this season’s Oswego East Sectional, Richards was edged by Stagg in a historic two-frame roll-off to see which of the two teams would qualify in the fourth spot for state.
But at the state finals, Stagg did not advance past the first day. The Chargers placed 12th in 2022.
“Getting back to state means the world to our program,” Stagg coach Rich Kowalczyk said. “We were able to return after losing some key pieces from last year’s team. Next year we will have a battle-tested roster with a ton of talent and state experience.”
Stagg junior Holly Gubernat advanced to the second day as an individual and tied for 59th overall with a 2211, which included a high of 222 on the first day. Stagg only graduates two seniors, Michelle Martinez, and Hannah Radosevic.
“We were excited to see Holly advance to Day 2,” Kowalczyk said. “She now has two years of state experience under her belt. Nothing rattles Holly. She can bowl in the most pressure-packed situations and always bowl at her best. She truly loves bowling and gets better every day. Some college program is going to be lucky to get her.”
Lockport rallied in the final game to capture its third straight state title and seventh overall. The Porters (11975) edged Joliet West (11942) in a battle that came down to the final frame. Harlem (11,878) took home its state record 13th trophy with a third-place finish. Andrew (11,736) had its best finish since winning the state title in 2012, and Oswego (11,633) was fifth.
Local News
Cruz booted from SD 229 school board in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Dermot Connolly There is a vacancy on the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 School Board, after members voted 6-1 last week to remove Robert Cruz for allegedly violating his oath of office, school board policy and state statutes. Cruz, a property developer, was elected to the District 229 board in…
Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions. The Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year. If a homeowner received any of these five exemptions…
Oak Lawn officials rip governor, legislators over crime
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Two Oak Lawn officials are calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker and local legislators to re-evaluate a police reform law that they say has resulted in a rise in crime. Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) served as mayor pro-tem during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night in place of Mayor Terry Vorderer,…
Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A journey that began years ago for Adrian Ayala recently culminated in Boy Scouting’s highest honor. Ayala, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Name Society) was honored at an Eagle ceremony at Duggan Hall on Jan. 13. The Eagle rank…
Hog Wild to open Monday in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Dining choices will get a boost in Oak Lawn with the arrival of Hog Wild. The restaurant is scheduled to open Monday, January 17, at 4040 W. 111th St. That’s a week later than originally scheduled. “We are very fortunate here in Oak Lawn to have attracted Hog Wild,” Oak…
Home security cameras could be big help to Orland cops
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Residents of Orland Park could have a hand in solving crime in the village. The board of trustees unanimously approved to move forward with a voluntary security camera registration program at its Jan. 4 meeting. It’s expected to start on Feb. 1. This program gives citizens and businesses a chance…
Ailing eagle on the mend
Spread the loveSeveral blocks northwest of Garfield Ridge—just west of 47th and Harlem–motorists late last month noticed an eagle flying low and acting erratically. The Villa Park-based Chicago Bird Collision Monitors was contacted, and its volunteers found and captured the majestic bird. It was transported to a facility owned and operated by Glen Ellyn-based Willowbrook…
Can’t we just fast-forward to spring?
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. Is it spring yet? Is the pandemic over yet? Not that I’m impatient or anything. I want to move forward past all the negative COVID-19 has brought to my life and everyone else’s life. I want to see…
Neighbors
House gives OK to new state agency focused on early childhood programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House gave final passage Thursday to a bill establishing a new cabinet-level state agency whose mission will be to provide a kind of one-stop shop for services focusing on early childhood development and education. By the time it’s fully operational in 2026, the new…
ANALYSIS: ‘Significant enough’ opposition to Pritzker’s revenue plan leads to call for cuts
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com When Gov. JB Pritzker proposed his budget for the upcoming fiscal year in February, he sought authority from lawmakers to raise more than $1 billion in revenue through various changes to the state tax code. Among other things, he sought to raise $526 million through extending an expiring…
State officials offer last goodbye to former Thompson Center as renovations begin
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO — State officials kicked off the private renovation of the building which once served as the state government’s Chicago headquarters. The James R. Thompson Center, as it was known under state ownership, was sold in 2022 to a development firm that is renovating the building for its…
Public officials seek greater oversight of prescription drug middlemen
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois draju@capitolnewsillinois.com As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers – an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs – multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry. Often referred to as pharmaceutical “middlemen,” PBMs act as third-party intermediaries…
Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Advocates for community-based after-school programs say as many as 40,000 youths statewide could lose access to tutoring services, recreation and other extracurricular activities this summer unless Illinois lawmakers approve an infusion of funds to keep them going. “The time is now for legislators to act to…
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Rampant sexual abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades. The plaintiffs were boys between 12 and 17 years old when the alleged abuse occurred and…
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…
Remembering Lee Milner
NEWS TEAM Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com On Wednesday, April 17, the Springfield, Illinois Capitol and journalism communities lost a devoted friend and advocate when Lee Milner passed away. As Dean Olsen wrote in his piece in the Illinois Times earlier this month, “Readers of Illinois Times often have seen Milner’s work as a freelance photojournalist. But…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…