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Solo championship would mean a lot to Leyden
River Grove, 12/06/12--Leyden's Danielle Trevino practices her throws. Leyden High School's girls bowling team practices at Brunswick Zone Thursday evening. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 25, 2013 1:19AM
WOODRIDGE — When Leyden senior Danielle Trevino’s mother first signed her up to bowl at age 6, she wasn’t exactly thrilled.
“I hated getting up at 7 o’clock in the morning to bowl on a Saturday,” Trevino said. “I’d rather sleep in.”
Trevino stuck with the sport and is now one of the top players on one of the top bowling teams in the state.
Trevino credits her mother, Darlene, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in October, with her success.
“I knew this season was going to be a little hard, but I just try to focus,” Trevino said. “On the days I’m having a hard time, I try not to let it affect the team. When I’m able to focus, I seem to do pretty well.”
Trevino is one of the reasons the Eagles put themselves in position to win the West Suburban Conference championship this season. Leyden had a chance to clinch the WSC title Tuesday with a win over Addison Trail.
Downers Grove South has won the conference title the past two seasons and shared the crown with Leyden in 2010. The Eagles won their last outright conference championship in 2009.
As of Saturday, Leyden owned a 7-0 conference record, while Downers Grove South (6-1) and Addison Trail (6-1) were also in the hunt. Hinsdale Central is 2-5 and Hinsdale South owns a 1-6 conference mark.
“It would mean a lot,” said Trevino, who is averaging 200. “I’ve been on varsity all four years and we haven’t had the conference to ourselves. It would mean a lot as a senior to go out with a bang.”
Leyden, Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South are among the teams that will be competing in the Head Pin Tournament Monday at Brunswick Zone in Woodridge.
It’s the unofficial conference tournament, with the conference title determined solely by regular-season duals. A traveling trophy is awarded to the tourney champ.
“It’s supposed to be a fun opportunity to get all the teams together to announce the all-conference and all-academic bowlers,” Hinsdale South coach Bob Lichter said. “It’s been a frustrating season. We’ve beaten most of our nonconference opponents, but we haven’t been able to beat the conference teams.”
Hinsdale South is led by senior Lauren Wolski, who is averaging 179. Wolski has a shot to move into 10th place on the program’s all-time single season average if she can improve to 180.
“It would be nice to see her sneak up in there,” Lichter said. “I’m hoping she gets things going towards the end of the season. Last year, she bowled well at the end and we’re hoping she can do even better this year. We’d love to see her make it to the state tournament. I think she should have a good chance of doing that.
Junior Kiaira Hassel (160 average) and senior Alexis Davis (155) have also had solid seasons for the Hornets.
Leyden is led by junior Reba Hall, who placed third individually at state as a sophomore to help the Eagles take sixth. The Eagles have also gotten key contributions from junior Erika Pimental, sophomore Ashley Kriston, sophomore Nicole Pitsenbarger, senior Jeanette Treto and junior Nicole Lassin.
Trevino has competed at state all three seasons.
“She’s been an absolute joy to have around,” Aylward said. “I’m going to miss her when she’s gone. She has a terrific personality and is a great kid. She’s a strong girl who throws the ball with a lot of authority.”
Sophomore Veronica Cothard Veronica has the Red Devils’ top three-game conference series with a 538 and top individual game at 220.
