Hononegah senior bowler Charlie Hunt takes home IHSA state title
Indians finished 9th in IHSA state tournament - Charlie Hunt averaged 230.8 pins per game.
Hononegah senior bowler Charlie Hunt is one of the Indian's most decorated athletes to ever walk the halls. He is a 2023 U.S. high school singles national champion and now he can add a state championship to his mantle. In 12 games last Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Fairview Heights, IL, Charlie Hunt averaged 230.8 pins, taking home the title. He finished 2.5 pins ahead of the 2nd-place bowler.
As a team, Hononegah placed 9th in the state, with a team average of 195.1. The team consists of Michael Hommema, Xander Way, Caleb Dirkx, Charlie Hunt, Joh Lawrence, Tyson Williams, Lucas Wheeler and Team Manager Gordy Hays. The Indians were coached by Brad Sommer, Dennis Mowry, Trevor Williams and Terry Andreas.
The Indians really had a bounce-back tournament after barely making it to state with a 6th-place finish at the Rockford Jefferson sectional on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Bowling powerhouse Harlem came in 7th in state after winning at sectionals.
After graduation, Charlie Hunt heads to Rock Valley College - which has been NJCAA DIII national bowling champion over 20 times - to bowl for the Golden Eagles next year. Congrats, Charlie on an incredible high school career.
Illinois Boys Bowling State Championships - Final Results
Team Standings
| Rank | School | Games | Pins | Behind | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salem | 60 | 12,402 | 0 | 206.7 |
| 2 | Harrisburg | 60 | 12,351 | -51 | 205.9 |
| 3 | Northbrook (Glenbrook North) | 60 | 12,196 | -206 | 203.3 |
| 4 | Lockport (Twp.) | 60 | 11,983 | -419 | 199.7 |
| 5 | Joliet (West) | 60 | 11,978 | -424 | 199.6 |
| 6 | O'Fallon (H.S.) | 60 | 11,975 | -427 | 199.6 |
| 7 | Machesney Park (Harlem) | 60 | 11,957 | -445 | 199.3 |
| 8 | Herrin (H.S.) | 60 | 11,896 | -506 | 198.3 |
| 9 | Rockton (Hononegah) | 60 | 11,704 | -698 | 195.1 |
| 10 | Dakota | 60 | 11,661 | -741 | 194.4 |
| 11 | Dixon (H.S.) | 60 | 11,576 | -826 | 192.9 |
| 12 | Carterville | 60 | 11,497 | -905 | 191.6 |
Individual Standings
| Rank | Bowler | Games | Pins | Behind | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlie Hunt, Rockton (Hononegah) | 12 | 2,767 | 0 | 230.6 |
| 2 | Josh Sachs, Northbrook (Glenbrook North) | 12 | 2,740 | -27 | 228.3 |
| 3 | Tyler Macdonald, Joliet (West) | 12 | 2,659 | -108 | 221.6 |
| 4 | Trevor Anifer, Lemont (H.S.) | 12 | 2,656 | -111 | 221.3 |
| 5 | Aiden Schwichow, Johnsburg | 12 | 2,644 | -123 | 220.3 |
| 6 | Nick Sachs, Northbrook (Glenbrook North) | 12 | 2,634 | -133 | 219.5 |
| 7 | Austin Cetwinski, New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central) | 12 | 2,626 | -141 | 218.8 |
| 8 | Kai Nitzschke, Northbrook (Glenbrook North) | 12 | 2,613 | -154 | 217.8 |
| 9 | Chase Lannom, Herrin (H.S.) | 12 | 2,610 | -157 | 217.5 |
| 10 | Dominick Winkler, Salem | 12 | 2,604 | -163 | 217.0 |
| 11 | Caleb Gore, Harrisburg | 12 | 2,595 | -172 | 216.3 |
| 12 | Tyler Paulus, Chicago (Taft) | 12 | 2,591 | -176 | 215.9 |
| 13 | Anthony Swanson, Evanston (Twp.) | 12 | 2,589 | -178 | 215.8 |
| 14 | Bryce Jinks, Joliet (West) | 12 | 2,584 | -183 | 215.3 |
| 15 | Tommy Kradenpoth, Naperville (Central) | 12 | 2,579 | -188 | 214.9 |
| 15 | Michael Rossini, South Elgin | 12 | 2,579 | -188 | 214.9 |
| 17 | Jonathan Carlton, Harrisburg | 12 | 2,575 | -192 | 214.6 |
| 18 | Nevin Guetterman, Edwardsville (H.S.) | 12 | 2,572 | -195 | 214.3 |
| 19 | Desmond Zuro, Berwyn-Cicero (Morton) | 12 | 2,559 | -208 | 213.3 |
| 20 | Mike Robinson, Morton | 12 | 2,543 | -224 | 211.9 |
Thank you to the Hononegah Boys Bowling Facebook page for the images and information for the story.
A self-described sports evangelist, Harold Bone is the Rockton-Roscoe News sports editor who is committed to finding stories behind-the-box scores and discovering engaging sports content. Harold has a background in many forms of media - everything from radio to TV. He has spent the last 25-plus years attending, following, and cheering for teams and athletes from the pros and colleges to local high schools and youth recreational leagues. Harold is passionate about creating engaging stories for athletes and sports fans in the Rockton/Roscoe/South Beloit, Illinois communities. Got a story idea? Contact Harold via email at harold@roscoenews.com and follow him on Twitter at @SPRTSEDRRNews. Sign up for the daily Roscoe News newsletter HERE.
