Kasza helps Panthers score crown

O’Fallon senior Madison Kasza made the difficult lane conditions at West Park Bowl in Columbia seem easy on Saturday.

One of the state’s finest bowlers for the past four years, Kasza finished with a six game total of 1,418 pins as she helped the Panthers to the team title at the Columbia Girls Bowling Regional.

Lanie Goldberg also averaged over 200, finishing with a score of 1,214 for O’Fallon which also used solid performances from Maddi Thornton and Hayleigh Williams to finish with a team score of 5,965 wins, 53 more then second place Belleville East (5,912).

The Lancers, who were paced by senior Katey Sauerwein (1,394) finished well ahead of Waterloo (5,735) and Cahokia (5,474) who finished third and fourth respectively.

All four schools advance to the Johnston City Sectional on Feb. 13. That sectional tournament will be held at Southern Illinois Bowl in Carterville.

Kasza’s 1,418 score was just six pins more then individual runnerup Courtney Argus, of Dupo, who finished with a score of 1,412.

Argus was one of 10 local individuals to move on to be able to take part in the sectional tournament.

Third place Waterloo was led by junior Makensy Umscheid (1,227), while junior Cassie Martin (1,299) led Cahokia.

At the Collinsville Regional

Balanced scoring was the name of the game for host Collinsville.

The Kahoks had four bowlers roll six games sets of 1,125 or better as they nipped Southwestern Conference power Alton for the title at Camelot Bowl in Collinsville.

The Kahoks, who finished with a team score of 5,671 received totals of 1,185 from Zoe Howell, 1, 176 from Katelynn Wirtel, 1,149 from Madisyn Juenger and 1,125 from Bella Thompson, are one of four teams which move on to the Johnston City Section al.

Alton, which was led by individual champion Eryka Graham (1,302), was second in the team competition with a score of 5,645.

Highland and Triad also advanced. The Bulldogs of Highland placed third with a score of 5,346 and were led by Makayla Smith with an 1,160 score.

Triad was led by Lainey Snow’s score of 1,285.

This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 9:47 PM with the headline "Kasza helps Panthers score crown."