When Fenwick High School senior Olivia Cameron qualified for the IHSA state girls bowling finals in 2023, it marked the first time that the school had sent a bowler, boys or girls, downstate.
Proving that good things come in threes, Cameron qualified again last year, then completed the three-peat at the De La Salle sectional on Feb. 15. Her six-game series total of 1,120 pins was good for an eighth-place finish overall, and it was the third-highest total among individuals from schools that did not qualify for the state team finals.
“It’s great. It’s a good feeling,” said Cameron of her third consecutive downstate trip. “I feel accomplished, but not enough; I’ve still got some goals.”
Competing for the first time ever as a team in the sectional, Fenwick finished in 11th place with a cumulative total of 4,190 pins. Junior Mariya Mason had the Friars’ second-best score with a series total of 729 pins.
“I was really excited to have the team with me at sectionals,” Cameron said. “I never had that experience of having the team advance in the state series, so it was really good.”
Sophomore Millie Ramirez (645 pins), junior Jakayla Davis (537), and sophomores De’Ondrea Almond (480), Daija Barnes (343), and Jossane Milewski (336) completed Fenwick’s lineup.
“They’ve got some more time,” Cameron said of her teammates.
Overall, it was a good season for the Friars. They finished third at the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference tournament, and Cameron and Ramirez were named All-Conference. With many returning players for next season, the future looks bright for Fenwick.
“Millie’s been working hard, and she’ll only get better,” Cameron said. “I only expect the program to grow from here on out. I just hope that without me they all continue to stick together and expand their knowledge in the bowling world.”
Meanwhile, Cameron is aiming for a top-10 finish at this week’s state finals, which take place Feb. 21-22 at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford.
“My keys to being successful will be staying consistent and making good shots,” she said. “Also, making my spares and having clean games while keeping a positive mindset.”
Other locals
Three other local bowlers competed at the sectional on an individual basis.
Junior Josephine Rodriguez of Trinity finished 27th with a cumulative score of 1,016 pins. Senior Gracie Maidlow of OPRF finished 35th with a series total of 986, and sophomore Sophia Thompson of OPRF knocked down 813 pins to finish 65th.