Stewart, Rich South roll into first place

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:32AM

Rich South's Salest Stewart was the first to admit that her first game Tuesday was one to forget, bowling a 118.

But unfazed by the early struggles, the sophomore regrouped over her next five games, leading Rich South to a runaway victory at the Southland conference tournament at Lakewood Bowl in Richton Park.

The Lady Stars finished with 5,036 pins to Rich Central's 4,492 while Stewart finished first individually with 1,231 pins over six games.

"I just didn't have enough time to adjust to the lanes yet (the first game)," Stewart said with a smile. "I shook it off and started fresh the next two games after I moved over a couple boards to the right."

Behind Stewart's first-place finish, teammate Bria McClelland rolled a 1,062, good for a second-place finish overall.

Also scoring for the Lady Stars were Melanie Roberson (4th, 954 pins), Morgan Schwalbe (8th, 908) and Ashley Goss (578).

"We're starting to click as a team and really work well together, help each other out," Stewart said.

Leading the way for the conference champs, Stewart wasted little time after her first game struggles. The sophomore rattled off games of 193, 265, 162, 234 and closed in the sixth with a 259.

"(Salest) just had a rough start, and she's been our top bowler this season," Rich South coach John Benney said. "She actually bowled better than her score indicated and had a lot of tough breaks. She was throwing some pretty good balls, and it caught up to her."

Coming off the strong showing at the conference tourney, Benney hopes the success continues into Saturday's Andrew sectionals.

"We bowled really well, and I was impressed with our performance today," Benney said. "I still feel like we're capable of doing better. I don't think we've peaked by any stretch."

Ngozi Mogbo's third place finish (958) led Rich Central to a second-place finish overall. Also scoring for the Olympians were Brittney Husband (5th, 937), Shakiah Harris (7th, 911), and Christyna Neal (11th, 889).

Crete-Monee took third place with 4,164 pins, paced by Jasmine Fisher's 928 pins, good for sixth overall. Kayleigh Legno (10th, 890) and Mallory Schilling (664) also chipped in.

Brittany Hughes (9th, 890) led fourth-place Rich East (3,700 pins).

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