By Randy Whalen

How good has Tyler MacDonald been for the Joliet West boys' bowling team?

Four Tigers bowlers have medaled in the Illinois High School Association State Finals, including MacDonald, who has done it twice. Both of those were third-place individual finishes, and both came in the past two seasons. Plus, in an almost unreal statistic, MacDonald finished with a 12-game pinfall total of 2,659 both years. 

Now in his senior season, MacDonald and the Tigers are aiming for even bigger things. 

"Before this season Reggie had us fill out a goal sheet," MacDonald said of the preseason meeting with Joliet West coach Reggie Lee. "I put down that I'd like to be in the Top 3 at state as a team and that I've been third twice in the past two years. 

"That's nice, but it hasn't been any improvement. So this year I want to take it home."

While MacDonald aims for the top and wants the Tigers to be there too, Lee believes that the way to get there is simpler than it seems.

Always motivating, Lee told the team to go back to the basics.

"They make it hard by staying in their head and not doing fundamentals," he said. "I tell them, 'relax guys, it's just bowling.'"

On Wednesday, November 20, it was just bowling as Joliet West hosted Plainfield Central at Town & Country Lanes in a Southwest Prairie Conference match. The Tigers won the 3-game match, 2811-2462, and are 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the league so far in the season. 

But the matches are also based on a point system and Lee is somewhat disappointed that the Tigers varsity has 46 points out of 60, while their JV team is a perfect 60 for 60.

But even MacDonald got off to a slow start against Plainfield Central. He left the first three frames open in the opening game. Then he came back to throw nine straight strikes to finish with a 236 game en route to a 639 series. 

"I don't worry about him," Lee said of MacDonald. "He knows how to focus and lock everything else out. That's a good thing."

MacDonald's experience pays off in those situations.

"It doesn't happen a lot," MacDonald said of leaving the first three frames open. "I was kind of upset but I came back and got nine straight strikes. Sure, you can get in your head but you also know that you're not going to miss again. I just have the confidence in myself."

Junior Tyler Bishop added 576 series and freshman David Brunner continued to do well with 561 series. Senior Brody Johnson and junior Alex Sanchez also return from last season's team, which placed fifth in the state.

Johnson and freshman Tim Besler also helped lead the first two games. Junior Jacob Landando and sophomore Michael Schlottman helped close out the third game.

 A big test for the team will be the Plainfield North Strike Fest on Saturday, November 23 at Town & Country Lanes.

"There's just a learning experience for some guys," Lee said. "I think we'll be fine later on."