The Salem Wildcats are the 2023 Bowling State Champions. The Cats trailed by 106 pins and were in 5th place after the first day, but put together 6 big games on Saturday to distance themselves from runner up O’Fallon by 189 pins and Mascoutah by 197. It’s the first time in IHSA State Bowling history that Southern Illinois teams have swept the State Competition. It’s also just the 2nd State Championship for Salem Community High School, with the Salem boys bowling team also winning in 2007.
Salem senior Charlie Hunter is the individual state champion finishing with an average of 230.3 over the 12-game set. TJ Czbaj of Lake Zurich was runner up 80 pins behind.
The Wildcats then went back to St Clair Bowl on Sunday to compete in the 2023 High School singles scholarship tournament. Charlie Hunter was 2nd, 83 pins from the lead and won $500, Silas Moats and Kannon King were 5th and 6th earning $300 and $250. Ryan Detering missed the cut for money by 51 pins.
