Boys Bowling: Canova averages 208 at Stevenson Sectional

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:25AM

Despite junior Mike Canova’s best efforts, neither he nor his Notre Dame teammates will advance to the IHSA state meet.

Lake Zurich edged Vernon Hills 6,423 to 6,391 in the Stevenson Sectional at Lakeside Lanes in Mundelein on Saturday to collect the two automatic team berths.

The co-favorites staged a virtual re-run of last year’s sectional when the host Bears nipped the Cougars by 69 pins. They went on to place second and third, respectively, in the state meet.

Notre Dame placed sixth in the 15-team tourney with 5,700 points. Deerfield (6,011), host Stevenson (5,989) and Huntley (5,827) took the third though fifth spots.

Canova stepped up with a six-game series total of 1,247. His 208 pace exceeded his season average by 14, but it wasn’t quite enough to gain an individual at-large berth.

Junior Mike Schmitt of Lake Zurich registered the highest series total with 1,469. Deerfield’s Zach Cole (1,332) and Libertyville’s Jake Thompson (1,291) earned automatic advancement to State. Schmitt was the runner-up in last year’s state meet, two spots ahead of Cole.

Notre Dame, coached by Dominic Catalano, won its sixth straight regular-season title in the Catholic League North. The Dons rose from fourth to first place with a strong finish.

The Dons were led this season by seniors Peter Velez (215 average) and Irvin Lopez (213). Velez claimed the Tournament Player of the Year award in the Catholic League meet on Jan. 14.

Canova, senior Frank Rybak, junior Joe Zaccagnini and senior lefty Mark Lukasiewicz were solid regulars. Senior Joe Reeves added both depth and enthusiasm. Canova, Zaccagnini and sophomore Alex Jensen are expected to lead Notre Dame next season.