In a small town in southern Illinois, a group of dedicated young men are making history one frame at a time. The Harrisburg High School men's bowling team recently claimed the Illinois State Championship, proving that determination and practice can lead to greatness regardless of a school's size.

"We are not losers. We don't walk into a tournament thinking we're gonna get second," says team member James Cranmore with conviction. "We always walk in there trying to get first."

That winning mindset paid off for the team in January when they captured the state title at St. Clair Bowl in O'Fallon, following a heartbreaking second-place finish last year. The victory is especially impressive considering Illinois high school bowling competition isn't divided into classes – Harrisburg competes against schools of all sizes throughout the state.

The team's success stems from a rigorous practice schedule. They train almost daily at Ross-Cottom Lanes in nearby Muddy, where owner and head coach Doug Cottom provides team members with free bowling throughout their high school careers. Assistant coach Barry McDermott, who has been with the program since its inception 23 years ago, works alongside Cottom to develop the bowlers' skills.

"We practice every day during the season," McDermott explains. "Different balls are made for different types of surface oil patterns. We help them know how to get into that."

The dedication extends beyond just showing up. Practice sessions often focus on specific skills rather than complete games. "During our practice sessions, we may not even bowl any games. We might just practice spares," notes team captain Jonathan Carlton.

This laser focus on improvement has produced impressive individual performances as well. Three Harrisburg bowlers finished in the state's top 10 individually, with Carlton placing second, Miles Brombaugh fourth, and Caleb Gore tenth in Illinois.

The road to the championship wasn't easy. The team first had to navigate their regional tournament, then place in the top four at sectionals to qualify for state. At the state finals, they competed against 23 other qualifying teams, making the cut to the top 12 after day one before securing their championship on the second day.

For these young men, bowling is more than just a sport – it's a pathway to future opportunities. "This is a real good sport to go on to make it to college," McDermott says. "Both of my kids went to Oklahoma Christian University on four-year scholarships for bowling."

The team's success has made them local celebrities in the halls of Harrisburg High School. When they qualified for state, they received a proper send-off with the school band playing and cheerleaders performing. These young athletes take pride in representing their school and community.

Despite losing two seniors from this year's squad, the future looks bright for Harrisburg bowling. With underclassmen stepping up and freshmen already showing promise, McDermott is optimistic about the program's continued success. "We're going to have a big hope. We have a great three more years or four more years," he says.

For now, the team is enjoying their well-deserved recognition while keeping their eyes on an even bigger prize. As Cranmore confidently states, "We're gonna three-peat." With their talent, work ethic, and commitment to excellence, few would bet against these champions in the lanes continuing their dynasty.

The Harrisburg men's bowling team proves that going the extra mile – with daily practices, specialized training, and an unwavering commitment to being the best – leads to championship results. For these dedicated athletes, bowling isn't just a game; it's a passion that has brought state recognition to their school and community.