Boys Bowling: Fink leads way as Vernon Hills finishes second at State

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Vernon Hills' Sam Fink, seen here during earlier action this winter, took 13th at the state bowling tournament last weekend. | Ruthie Hauge ~ Sun-Times Media.

Updated: April 2, 2012 1:55AM

Vernon Hills High School senior Sam Fink may have picked up a bowling ball at a birthday party prior to his freshman year, but that was about the extent of his experience with the sport.

Four years later, Fink proved that on any given day he can bowl with just about anyone in the state. Fink was the top finisher for Vernon Hills at the IHSA state tournament, held at St. Clair Lanes in O’Fallon Friday and Saturday.

Fink placed 13th with a 12-game pin total of 2636 for a 219.7 average. Fink’s performance helped Vernon Hills finish in second place for the second consecutive year. The Cougars knocked down 12,652 pins (210.9 average), while champion Andrew High School totaled 12,821. Vernon Hills finished 85 pins ahead of third place Hononegah.

Fink was on the JV squad last year, so this was the first time he bowled in the pressure-packed state tournament.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I wasn’t expecting to finish that high,” Fink said with a smile.

After rolling games of 234, 269 and 245 (748), Fink was leading the whole field after the first three-game block on Friday. He followed that up with respectable 193 and 191 games before closing with a 242. At the end of the first day, he was in fourth place.

“Sam was remarkable,” said Cougars coach Ron Long. “He’s pretty unfazed about what goes on, so we’ve been able to move him all over the lineup. He really set the tone for the whole team.”

Fink said he was comfortable with his shot for all six games.

“It was just one of those days where everything fell into place,” he said.

Fink kept it going Saturday in the morning session with a 678 series. He closed with a 584 series.

“I focused a little too much on the scoreboard,” he said.

Assistant coach Bill Spigner raved about the way Fink’s game has evolved.

“His game has really matured and improved,” Spigner said. “He listens well and has come such a long way. His growth this year was spectacular.”

More hardware: Vernon Hills had a chance to win the state title going into the final game, but Andrew responded with a score of 1196, its best of the day.

The Cougars shot 1036.

“We were within range, but the Andrew kids bowled in another world,” Long said. “We were confident that we could win, but we just fell a little short to a really good team. It was still a great feeling to get another State trophy.”

Vernon Hills junior Eric Swanson started slowly but closed strong to work himself into the top 20. His 214.9 average was good for 18th place.

“He was a little disappointed because he’s such a good bowler, but I know he learned a lot from this tournament,” Long said. “He’ll come back next year as one of the best bowlers in the state.”

Alex Winter placed 27th with a 210.8 average.

“He’s probably the most consistent bowler that we have,” Long said. “He’s come through with big games in so many critical times.”

Senior David Goldberg placed 48th with a 203.9 average. Jeremy Steininger came through with a critical 682 series in the final three-game block. Parish Ashford had a 235 in the second game of Saturday morning’s block.

“Parish is a spark plug for us,” Long said. “We love having him on the team.”

Team time: The Cougars were quiet on the first part of the long bus ride home, but the mood began to turn as the trip progressed.

“Everyone was a little disappointed at first, but then they started lightening up and having fun with each other,” Long said. “These guys get along so well and really know how to interact with each other. I really believe this is the best team I’ve ever had.”