As the most experienced bowler on the Collinsville girls bowling team, Amber Burns felt like she had to take charge at the Taylorville Sectional last Saturday, and that's exactly what she did.
With a score of 1,326, the junior was the top bowler as she helped the Kahoks win the Taylorville Sectional and advance to this weekend's state tournament at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford. Collinsville, which had an individual state champion (Frannie Steiner) and won the team title in 2010, defeated second-place O'Fallon by 127 pins.
"We get along really well, and we knew deep down that we could make it as far as we wanted to," said Burns, the only member of the current team that competed at Cherry Bowl two years ago. "We practiced and practiced, and it really paid off.
"We started off a little bit shaky getting to know each other again, but we won the Taylorville Tournament and we enjoyed a winning streak. Finally, we put it all together and came out as a team at the sectional."
The sectional was held at Laketown Lanes in Springfield (Ill.), the same location as the Taylorville Tournament.
"We went into it with some confidence and bowled the way we know how to bowl," Burns said. "I try to come out each match and tournament with the same goal in mind, and I try to have that same hard work and dedication in practice.
"I was consistently hitting my spot each time, and those extra spares add up. I guess it could be a little bit of being there before, but I also think I was in the zone for my team. I wanted to make sure that we did everything in our power to make it to state."
Throughout the regular season, Burns battled junior Sarah Crafton and senior Katie Crafton for the top average on the team.
"We know and support each other really well," Burns said. "Having teammates like that makes you work harder to get better, because they're pushing you every day."
Burns has bowled at Camelot Bowl, Collinsville's home center, since she was 5.
"I started with bumper league and continued bowling every Saturday," Burns said. "My grandma and grandpa were a big help as well, and I took private lessons.
"It's a year-round thing for me. I bowl in the high-school league on Mondays during the season and on Tuesdays in the summertime. I try to stay active and take as many lessons as I can."
Burns feels Collinsville has a good chance of earning a trophy (top three finish) at the state tournament.
"We're just going to do the same thing we did at the sectional," Burns said. "I bowled two games at state my freshman year, but I kind of have a feel for it. If any of the girls have any questions about what goes on, I definitely have the experience for it and I can let them know.
"As far as individual goals, I just want to go out with a positive attitude each time. In the end, it's what we all came together to do."
BOWLING NOTES: Sarah Crafton (1,264) and Katie Crafton (1,121) had the second- and third-best pin totals for Collinsville at the sectional, but sophomore Sammi Kassly played a bigger role than expected with a score of 1,041 for five games.
"I always have those expectations of bowlers—otherwise they wouldn't be on the roster—but Sammi stepped into a pressure situation and bowled the best she's bowled all year long," Collinsville coach Sean Hay said. "She averaged over 200 without a problem and averaged almost as much as Sarah did. If she had bowled a sixth game, I think she would have been in the top five (overall)."
A year of experience proved to be a plus for Kassly.
"Last year at the sectional, I was nervous because I was a freshman, but this year everyone felt good," Kassly said. "It was fun to do this with the team and know it wasn't just me. Usually I'm not consistent, but I was at the sectional, and it made a big difference."
