Collinsville boys bowling rolls into new season

By Mark Jurgena

Collinsville boys bowling coach Sean Hay returns much of his starting lineup that once again qualified for the IHSA state tournament last winter.

“The inexperience we had last year, turned into experience this year,” began Hay. “I liked my team at the beginning of the season last year but I knew there was going to be a learning curve just because many of the bowlers didn’t get a chance to bowl much varsity the year before and they got a baptism by fire last year. 

“This year I look to see us hit the ground running a little bit more because of that experience from last year.”

The Kahoks finished in 20th place at the state tourney last year, took 2nd place at the Cahokia Regional behind O’Fallon, and finished in 3rd place at the Alton Sectional behind Waterloo and Mascoutah.

They also finished in 2nd place in the SWC last year.

The Kahoks return seniors Brandon Campbell, Cole Buckman, Mason Foley, and Ben Sloan. Jacob Taylor, a junior, returns to contend for varsity time as does sophomore Daniel Wilde.

CHS opens up Saturday in Herrin before returning to the Metro East for the first two days of the SWC Tourney. Next Wednesday the SWC will be in Collinsville at Camelot Bowl.