O’FALLON — The Salem Wildcats completed defense of their Boys Bowling State Championship, using a strong second day to rally past Harrisburg, making it back to back state titles.
The Wildcats started the day in third place, 166 pins behind day one leader Harrisburg and 15 pins behind second place Glenbrook North. Salem cut Harrisburg’s lead to just 42 pins after the morning three-game session, then took the lead after game four. The Wildcats carried a 30-pin lead over Harrisburg heading into the final game, then outscored the Bulldogs 968-947 to finish the two days (and 60 games) with 12,402 pins, enough for a 51-pin victory.
The Bulldogs finished state runner-up to collect their third boys state bowling trophy in program history. Glenbrook North finished third.
Herrin moved up two spots on the final day to finish eighth as a team. Carterville was 12th.
The top 12 individuals earn medals. Three area bowlers medaled, led by Tigers junior Chase Lannom, who finished ninth with 2610 pins. That was a spot ahead of Salem senior Dominick Winkler (2604 pins) and two spots ahead of Harrisburg sophomore Caleb Gore (2595 pins).
Charlie Hunt from Rockton (Hononegah) was the individual champion with 2767 pins.
Complete results are here.
