DIXON – This boys bowling season has been different for Dominic Fonderoli.

For the first three years of his high school career, he was part of the St. Bede Academy bowling program. This year, he transferred to Amboy High School which doesn’t have a bowling team.

Instead of calling it quits or involving himself in a sport he doesn’t like, the senior decided to be a one-man team for his final prep bowling campaign.

“I didn’t want to play basketball or wrestle, so bowling was the only other thing to do in the winter,” Fonderoli said. “I figured I’d try it and I ended up being pretty good at it. I was on St. Bede’s team for the last three years, so I know how the season works.

“My mom, Jamie Ellis, is considered my coach, but I practice by myself and kind of coach myself.”

Fonderoli, who practiced one or twice a week at the Illinois Valley Super Bowl in Peru after school when his work schedule at McDonald’s in Mendota allowed, competed in six meets throughout the season including twice against La Salle-Peru, twice against Sterling, and at the Rockford Boylan Tournament.

Although he wanted to roll his 15-pound Roto Grip Gem at more meets in the regular season, it did its damage when he needed it to, at the Kaneland Regional held at Mardi Gras Lanes in DeKalb on Friday, Jan. 17.

Fonderoli finished with a 1,206, which gave him the second-best score of individuals not on an advancing team, and sent him to the Oregon Sectional on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Plum Hollow Family Center in Dixon.

“I sort of like being a one-man team because I can practice whenever I want. It’s on my time,” Fonderoli said. “I also miss not being on a bowling team because I’m not in as many tournaments. I miss having teammates cheer me on.

“However, it was nice at the regional. I had quite a few people rooting for me because I was the only individual there. It was a good time and I’m glad I made it to sectional.”

Fonderoli, who had not made it to a sectional before as he fell 14-pins shy as a junior, gave it his all in Dixon but did not advance to the IHSA State Meet.

The Clipper rolled a 1,074 with a high game of 232.