By Jeremy Gasca ‘25
On Jan. 11, the Crusader bowling team competed in the CCL Championship at Habetler Bowl on Chicago’s North Side. Expectations were high, with the team entering the tournament as a top-three contender in the conference. The event served as preparation for regionals and a stepping stone toward their ultimate goal: qualifying for state.
The team started slow, but one Crusader came out strong. Junior Jake Pritchard said, “At the beginning of the day, I felt amazing. Pins were falling my way, and I went into the halfway point as a top-10 bowler in the conference. One of my best moments so far this season.” Performances like Pritchard’s, so close to the state playoffs, provide the team with a confidence boost for the future.
As the day progressed, the team found its rhythm. In the final game of the first set, the Crusaders posted an impressive score of 1,008, putting them back in contention for the semifinals. The team ended that game with 17 of the last 20 strikes in the ninth and 10th frames.
Sophomore Zach Johnson said, “Going into that 10th frame, you could feel the momentum change. The cheering got louder, and everything seemed to go in slow motion. It was definitely what we needed to set the stage for the semifinals.”
Pritchard wasn’t the only standout performer. Senior Kris Love averaged a personal-best 201, totaling a pinfall of 1,005.
Love said, “I didn’t even realize I did it, being only my second day all season averaging over 200 after five games. It was really something to perform so well at such a big event. Now I look forward to bringing that into regionals.”
Despite several highs, the team fell short in the semifinals, finishing fourth in the CCL. A tough final few games created a deficit too large to overcome.
The Crusaders, brimming with talent, will compete in regionals at Palos Lanes on Friday, Jan. 17, looking to advance further in the state playoffs. With such a strong team, they are set to bring home hardware for another successful season.
