Bowling: Highland wins girls P-T O-Rama title
By Anthony Nasella Post-Tribune correspondent October 28, 2012 11:30PM
Highland's Danielle Rudnickas reacts after throwing a strike inthe finals round against Mererillville during the Post-Tribune Northwest Indiana Preseason High School Bowl O-Rama held at Stardust Bowl II in Hobart on Sunday October 28, 2012. | Charles Mitchell~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 30, 2012 6:29AM
HOBART — When the Highland girls bowling program graduated three seniors last year, Trojans’ head coach Lisa Dickerson wasn’t quite sure what kind of team she would have this season.
Based on her team’s performance at Sunday’s Post-Tribune Bowl-O-Rama at Stardust Bowl II where Highland defeated Merrillville 2-1 in the best-of-three Baker championship match, the Trojans certainly look like they will be more than competitive.
Highland secured victories over Griffith and Boone Grove to reach the final. Boone Grove earned third with a victory over the Portage B team.
“The girls bowled well together all day,” Dickerson said. “We just kept telling them to keep doing what they were doing. We won two big matches to get to the finals, and then we’re able to win the finals with just five bowlers. We had no subs.
“We also did well a meet in South Bend (two weeks ago), so we’re off to a nice start.”
Highland’s five consisted of Catie Bales, Danielle Rudnickas, Jessica Dziezak, Jessi Henson and freshman Lindsey Norton, who rolled 438 (212-226) for the second best series in qualifying.
“It’s very nerve-racking out there,” Norton said. “But it feels great to be able to win. We’re always being reminded (by our coaches) to make our spares. I’m definitely gaining confidence.”
For Merrillville, which qualified for match play at No. 6, victories over Hebron as well as Portage’s A and B team lifted them into the final. Reigning P-T girls bowler of the year Carly Larson led the team in qualifying with a 382.
“The day actually went really well,” Larson said. “Our individual games weren’t that great, but we really started working well as a team in Baker. We all get along well out there.”
Merrillville head coach Paula Larson said that beating Portage rallied the team.
“They are a strong group and they really support each other,” Larson said. “We have four seniors this year; this is not their first rodeo.”
