DANVILLE — History was made last week when the Danville girls bowling team rallied in the final game to beat Morton by 7 pins for the fourth and final qualifying spot in today’s Joliet West Sectional.
In more than 120 years of athletics, Danville has never had a bowling team advance to the sectional tournament, but then again, this team has only been around the past four years.
Seniors Armani Bankhead, Phoenix Jimson, Hannah Lowe and LinAnn Riggleman have earned the honor of capping their high school careers with a sectional tournament berth.
“All of us really stepped up, we put our teamwork together and pushed to the very last frame,’’ said Jimson, who was seventh individually in the regional with a six-game score of 974. “We were down so many pins heading into that final game, we had to rally.
“We knew some of us were probably going to make it as individuals, but that’s not what we wanted. We wanted to either go as a full team or not go at all.’’
That tenacious attitude got the job done and it sounds like something their coach from the first three seasons, John L. Pendleton, might have said.
Pendleton, the former Danville High athlete as well as football coach, passed away on Oct. 7, 2023 after a battle with cancer.
“I wasn’t sure if we were still going to have a bowling team this year,’’ said Lowe. “It was very heartbreaking when he passed away in October. Once we found out that we were going ahead with this season, we decided to dedicate it to him.
“He was a really good coach and a really good person.’’
Both Lowe and Jimson said they hope that Pendleton, or better know as Coach P, is proud of them.
“We wanted to make it to sectionals together, as team, for him and to honor him,’’ said Jimson, who admitted hearing his voice in the back of her head on Saturday. “Definitely. I kept hearing him say, ‘just bowl and do what I taught you in practice.’
“I also remember all the jokes that we used to have with him.’’
One of Pendleton’s famous lines, both on the football field and at the bowling alley, was “you’re done.”
“That’s what he would tell each of one of us if we ever threw a gutter ball or messed up,’’ Jimson said. “He was only half-serious about it and it would make us laugh.’’
Pendleton’s passing left a huge void, but Danville athletics director turned to an old friend at Lincoln Lanes.
Jason Woodworth, the former baseball coach at Salt Fork and Schlarman Academy, turned him down at first, but finally agreed to take over.
“I chuckled and laugh at him the first time,’’ Woodworth said. “But, he came back to me and I figured I could make it work. Most of the coaching time is during my work hours already.’’
But, how about coaching girls after nearly 20 seasons of coaching only boys?
“That was a little bit of challenge. I haven’t ever coaches a girls team that wasn’t my daughter and bunch of 6-year-olds,’’ he said. “And then coming in, you have the big shoes to fill with John’s passing along with four seniors that have only know his style.
“My terminology and approach was a little different, so we battled through that for a couple of weeks. But overall, it’s been a good transition and we have a good season.’’
According to Jimson, who also plays volleyball, the bowling team is unique because of the bonds they have developed over the years.
“A lot of people think it’s an individual sport, but it’s really not,’’ she said. “We all had to work together and cheer each other up, just to make it this far.
“I’m friends with every single girl on this team, we have become a family.’’
Lowe, who admitted she only originally went out for bowling to avoid PE classes, says the sport has had a big impact on her life.
“I had never been on a competitive bowling team before,’’ she said. “I feel like I’ve grown as a person, being surrounded by people that enjoy bowling. I’ve developed some of the closest friends on this bowling team.
“I’m going to miss these all of these girls when I graduate this year.’’
The Lady Vikings will look to continue their historical season today at the Joliet West Sectional.
The top four teams will advance to next weekend’s state tournament in Rockford.
“As a freshman, I didn’t think we would ever make it out of the regionals,’’ Jimson said. “But, never say never. I think we can do it.
“Whatever happens, it’s for a reason.’’