Feb. 21--Before Friday's preliminary round at Rockford's Cherry Bowl, seven bowlers had rolled 300 games at the girls bowling state tournament since 1996.
It took less than two hours for that number to climb to 10.
Lemont senior Kyra Udziela took the individual lead in Friday's fourth game, when she rolled 12 consecutive strikes. Meanwhile, Machesney Park Harlem sophomore Mylee McCracken accomplished the same feat.
Belvidere North senior Emily Ashens rolled her way to perfection in the fifth game to cap an improbable afternoon.
Udziela ended the day atop the leaderboard at 1,397, only 13 pins ahead of Joliet West's Gracie Plese. Fifteen bowlers finished within 95 pins of first place, including McCracken (seventh) and Ashens (10th).
Collinsville wrapped up the first day at 6,310 -- 139 pins ahead of second-place and two-time defending champion Waubonsie Valley.
Only juniors Violet Kirk and Veronica Dreyfus bowled during the Warriors' 2014 title-winning performance. This year's squad has no seniors.
Oswego East, the runner-up to Waubonsie Valley in 2013, will start Saturday in third place, with Lockport one pin behind. Hoffman Estates, West Aurora, Belvidere North and Joliet West also made the cut.
