Through the clacking and crashing of the pins, a cheer can be heard. It is loud and obnoxious, but encouraging.

Over and over, friends and family members chant, “Pick it up!”

The words offer motivation to Huntley’s girls bowling team. On Thursday Jan. 23, Huntley’s girls bowling team took on Dundee-Crown.

Giant marbles flash down lane after lane. Strikes, splits, and turkeys dominate the pins. It goes on until a series is completed. It is slow-going with the first round scoring 746 points. The second score leaps ever so slightly to 796. The final score is not as promising with only a three-point jump. When the last ball strikes and the final pin tumbles over, the score is added up. Huntley’s varsity has totaled 2341 points, Dundee-Crown, 2919. Sophomore Shannon Walsh was the top scorer with 553 points.

Although varsity lost they did very well.

“Varsity was good; they did better than most games. And junior varsity was on fire,” said girls bowling coach Sandra Spears.

JV did a spectacular job with 2785-2359. The score could not have been so mighty had it not been for the highlight of the game, freshman Shadyn O’Riley, who scored with a series score of 598.

Dundee-Crown was a tough competition, being first in conference. Huntley’s goals are to adapt quickly to the floors at their next game to ensure victory. Their next game will be Jan. 28 for IMSA.