High School Sports Spotlight
December 23, 2012 5:34PM
Mike Brandolino, of Joliet West
Article Extras
Updated: January 25, 2013 6:11AM
Mike Brandolino
Sr., Bowling, Joliet West
Brandolino is hoping the Tigers can follow a solid 2011-12 campaign, when they went 7-1 in the SouthWest Suburban Blue, with an equally strong 2012-13.
“We lost all our good seniors from last season, so it’s going to be hard,” he said. “I think we can do it, though. There’s some pressure on me, but I try not to let it bother me.”
Brandolino has a career-high game of 279. He had a three-game series of 606 against Plainfield South on Nov. 5.
Steve Millar
Allyson Lakota
Sr., Bowling, Minooka
Lakota and the Indians are motivated after finishing second at state in 2012.
“We want to take first at state this year,” Lakota said. “Andrew beat us by 22 pins last year and we don’t want that to happen again.”
Lakota’s history in bowling runs deep.
“I’ve bowled since I was three,” she said.
Lakota is a fan of pop music, and noted her “favorites are One Direction and Justin Bieber.”
Steve Millar
Kurt Butterfield
Sr., Swimming,
Lincoln-Way West
West’s senior leader, who swims the 50- and 100-yard freestyles, said he started swimming so he could get quicker at water polo.
“My work ethic has completely changed,’’ he said. “The dedication to the sport is changed, my head is in it. I told a few of the freshmen on the team to stay humble, stay hungry. Don’t be satisfied.’’
Butterfield said the Warriors have good “team chemistry’’ this season and push each other “to go real fast.’’
Tim Tierney
Sam Kowalczyk
Junior, Cheerleading,
Joliet West
When Kowalczyk was in sixth grade, she was a softball player and cross country runner. Friends wanted her to try cheerleading.
She wasn’t keen on the idea, but she gave it a try.
“I dropped the other two sports after I tried it out,” Kowalczyk said. “I love the sport because there is a lot of dedication and hard work followed by a big reward when we compete. “
Jeff Vorva
