Johnson County high school bowling notebook

Olathe Northwest junior Jennifer Wood is performing like one of the top girls bowlers in the area with a 197 average entering play Thursday.

And yet Ravens coach Charlie Pope thinks she has even more potential to improve by the end of the season.

“She really hasn’t hit her stride yet,” Pope said. “In practices, she’s already bowled over 700 (in a series) a couple times. We’re waiting for her to really pop one.”

Wood placed 13th at the 6A state tournament last season with a 537 series, but she looks to have taken her game to an even higher level this season.

The Ravens’ girls squad has struggled in the early going due to a lack of depth, but in Wood, they have somebody to keep an eye on come postseason.

“She’s a real, real talented bowler,” Pope said. “She may be one of the better juniors around.”

Viking sets recordShawnee Mission West senior Samantha Favrow set a school record Monday when she bowled a 731 series at Olathe Lanes East.

That’s a school record for girls and boys, for that matter.

Favrow’s big day featured a 290 game and highlighted the yet another Vikings victory. The SM West girls are 9-1 this season, while the Vikings’ boys team was a perfect 10-0 as of Thursday.

Yeah, things are going well for SM West so far.

“It’s a pretty easy ship to steer right now,” Vikings coach Renee Stevens said.

Favrow lead the girls with a 211 average, as of earlier this week, while freshman Abby Baker has emerged with a 192 average.

The boys, meanwhile, aren’t lacking for points, either. As of Tuesday, four Vikings boys were averaging 199 or better, while yet another bowler led the way on Wednesday.

Sophomore Jared Aronson had recent series of 694 and 687 to bump his average up to 218. Defending 6A state champ Adam Lewis and Kevin Ingham were averaging in the low 200s, while Jeff Beagle was just a little off that pace.

But on Wednesday, in victories over SM Northwest and Olathe North, the Vikings’ leader was senior Matt Canon with a 694 series.

BOWLER OF THE WEEK

•Samantha Favrow, Shawnee Mission West, senior. Favrow set a Vikings program record — girls and boys — when she bowled a 731 series Monday, including a 290 game.

TOURNAMENT OF THE WEEK

•Bishop Miege Invitational, 1 p.m. today at Mission Bowl. This tournament features host Bishop Miege, SM West, Sumner Academy, Maranatha Academy, Topeka, SM North, Washington, Oskaloosa, Topeka West, Schlagle, Kansas City Christian and Aquinas.

submitted by RYAN YOUNG - 2008-01-31 18:53:02

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