Rockton, Roscoe, Willowbrook, and Stephen Mack will send a deep, promising group of young bowlers to the IESA State Finals next weekend, showing just how strong the sport has become across our community. When Town & Country Lanes in Joliet hosts the state’s best on April 17–18, 2026, once again the Rockton, Roscoe, Willowbrook, and Stephen Mack pipeline will be well represented.
Stephen Mack and Roscoe Middle School both finished in the top four at Cherry Bowl, earning full‑team berths to Joliet. The dual advancement marks one of the best combined sectional showings for the two programs in years.
Individually, Willowbrook added two more qualifiers:
- Nicholas Hockmuth (6th grade, Willowbrook) emerged as one of the youngest bowlers in the entire field, with mechanics far beyond his age.
- Zakery Mullranin (8th grade, Willowbrook) closed strong to secure his spot, giving Willowbrook a pair of state‑bound bowlers.
With two full teams and two individual qualifiers, the boys’ side enters Joliet with legitimate expectation to excel.
🌱 A pipeline built to last
The most striking takeaway from Sectional B is the age distribution. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders advanced from four different schools. That kind of spread is rare—and it’s the clearest sign yet that the bowling culture in Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit is thriving.
Coaches deserve credit for building programs that emphasize fundamentals early, encourage year‑round development, and create competitive opportunities that prepare young bowlers for moments like these.
🌟 A standout girls field built on balance and poise
The three individual qualifiers from Girls Sectional B at Cherry Bowl tell a story of depth, consistency, and rising stars who can handle pressure.
- Lorelei Gilbertson (8th grade, Willowbrook) anchored the local contingent with a poised performance that showed why she has been one of the area’s best middle‑school bowlers. Her ability to string together clean frames was seen throughout the day.
- Kaydence Robinson (7th grade, Stephen Mack) and Lucy Carlson (7th grade, Stephen Mack) delivered matching storylines—steady, confident, and unfazed by the sectional stage.
- Alexis Tyler (7th grade, Roscoe Middle School) rounded out the group with a late‑day surge that pushed her into the state field.
While no local girls program advanced as a team, the individual representation is impressive: four qualifiers from three different schools, all underclassmen except Gilbertson. That balance across programs is exactly what sustains long‑term success.
Looking ahead to Joliet
Town & Country Lanes will host a talented statewide field next weekend, but our communities‘ contingent will arrive with momentum and a collective belief that they belong on the state stage…