Vernon Hills takes first at Lake Zurich Invite

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Vernon Hills senior Alex Winter lets it fly during warms-up at Saturday's Lake Zurich Invitational. Winter the Cougars took first place. | Ruthie Hauge ~ Sun-Times Media.

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Updated: March 19, 2012 2:00AM

If you want to be the best, first you must beat the best. 

Every memorable team has its cross to bear on its way to a championship. Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls had the Pistons; the Red Sox had the Yankees. 

For the Vernon Hills boys bowling team, it’s Rockford Guilford. Last year, the Cougars finished second to Guilford in the IHSA state tournament. On Saturday, VH took an important step in its journey to greatness.

The Cougars (11-0) won the Lake Zurich Invitational, defeating third-place Rockford Guilford by 75 pins (3,580 to 3,205) in three-game match play. In light of recent history, the victory was as symbolic for Vernon Hills as it was statistical. 

“We were up for it. We wanted to see what we could do against them,” said Vernon Hills head coach Ron Long. “Beating a team like (Rockford Guilford) is a good sign for us.”

A better sign is the depth the Cougars take into this year’s postseason. They go six deep, with each bowler — Eric Swanson, Parish Ashford, Alex Winter, Sam Fink, David Goldberg and Jeremy Steininger — capable of putting up a large score. For example, Fink finished with the second-highest game of Saturday’s invite (267). Last season, Fink couldn’t crack the varsity lineup. 

“To do what (Sam) did was incredible,” Long said. “I would feel bad about any of them. Last year, we had guys who would come in but they were spotty. We have a solid six (this season).”

Other confidence-boosters on Saturday were Steininger, whose three-game total (697) was good for fourth place overall, and Swanson (695), who was sixth-best. Vernon Hills was the only team to have two bowlers among the top eight.

During a team meeting in November, Long outlined goals for the season. One of them was to win the conference, which the Cougars have all but done.

The other goals? To win a sectional and State. Those two remain.

“Last year’s team was capable of winning it,” Long said. “This year, I wanted them to think, ‘That is the goal.’ ”  

Added assistant coach Bill Spigner: “We have six really solid varsity players. We are looking forward to seeing how they jell together the rest of the season.”

Recap: Vernon Hills got a significant bump Saturday with the return of Ashford, who has missed most of the season. He bowled a 240 game, but also provides a less-tangible benefit for the Cougars. 

“He’s an explosive bowler, but he’s an emotional lift,” Spigner said. “He has a great personality.”

Every team needs an alpha personality, which Ashford provides — bouncing around the lanes, loosening up his teammates before a game. 

“Our huddles were the best ever,” Long said. “He does the little things that were missing. We’re so happy to have him back.”

Swanson is close behind Deerfield’s Zach Cole for the individual conference lead. Cole is averaging close to 230.33, while Swanson is within striking distance at 228.7.

Saturday’s Lake Zurich Invitational results were the almost exactly the same as last season’s State finals, with one exception: Vernon Hills switched places with Guilford, last year’s champion. The host Bears finished second.

On the schedule: Vernon Hills competes in a sectional at Lakeside Lanes in Mundelein on Saturday.