19 Years After Winning A State Bowling Title, Rockford East Girls Get Ultimate Honor. Liz Kellogg,
Of The East Valley, Won Three State Titles During Her High School Bowling Career In Illinois.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Managing Editor - The Tenpinexpress. Com
Director Mesa Metro Association
Rockford, Il. - - - While Valerie Caron and Ron Huemiller Sr., were being inducted into the Mesa Metropolitan Association (MMA) HOF on Saturday February 20, 2016, at AMF Chandler Lanes in Chandler.
Liz Kellogg, another East Valley bowler, was quietly being inducted into the Rockford Athletics HOF herself, along with her high school bowling teammates.
It should be no surprise to those of you who follow bowling closely in the Valley,that this honor came to her earlier in her bowling career. Rather than later.
"I was just excited to get there and see my old teammates and coaches. It hadbeen so long since we won state," she said, of what the accomplishment would mean to her once she got to Chicago on Friday February 26. The enshrinement was on the 27th. "We were nominated. Our team was the first Rockford girls' bowling team to win a State Bowling Title. Our team was the beginning of successful girls'teams in Rockford."
Other teammates who got enshrined along with Liz were: Karen Lauer, Elissa Hoglund, Laura Jasper, Christy Frost, and Holly Anderson.
"We were nominated," said Liz, on how she and her teammates were chosen for this honor. "We won the state title in 1997, and that was almost 20 years ago. "At Rockford East, no other team has won a state title since then. We left a dynasty.I think our induction into the Rockford Athletics HOF, came at the right time."
Other individuals and teams who also got enshrined that weekend were: Figure Skater, Janet Lynn; Boxer, Ken Gould; Diver, Ron Merriott; and the 1982 Guilford football team.
"What was special about being with my teammates again, was reliving the memories," she said. "Bowling was a huge part of my youth. I had fun listening to stories we had about going to tournaments and our successes. I am now apiece of Rockford Athletics history. How cool is that?!".
Liz has done well individually in bowling as well. She was the Northern Illinois Bowling Conference MVP in 1998 and 1999. Also in 1998 and 1999, she was the Illinois High School Girls' State Bowling Champion. She is the only female to win back-to-back titles in the 43 year history of the sport.
She was named to the Rockford Women's All-Star team in 2002. Her highest average while bowling in Illinois, was a 214.
"I could not have asked for better coaches when I was in high school. Mike Hoglund, was my rock. When I was a high school bowler, I was my worst enemy," said Liz, of her early bowling career. "I never thought I could do it. He had a way of keeping my head in the game.
"Mike knew what to say, and how to motivate me," she added. "The other coach was my dad, John Berg. I come to find out, he was the one telling Mike where to line me up. They taught me how to be a: fierce competitor, how to show good sportsmanship, and to be happy for other bowlers' and their successes. I couldn't have won three state titles without these two amazing men."
Liz moved to the Valley in 2003, and graduated from ASU in 2008, with a Bachelors Degree in Family Studies. The first league she bowled in, in the East Valley, was the Fifth Wheelers, where she averaged 209 for 105 games during the 2008-09 season.
She rolled her only 300 game on May 15, 2011, at the Arizona State Women'sTournament, at Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson. Her only 800 series to date, came on March 19, 2013 in the Foxes and Hounds League at Brunswick Kyrene.Additionally, she had the highest average among the women in the MMA, following the 2013-14 season with a 219. This was also done in the Foxes and Hounds League at Kyrene.
She followed this up with a Arizona State Doubles A Championship with her sister Ericka Berg, also in the summer of 2013. The sisters were back-to-back doubles champions following the MMA's 58th and 59th women's tournament at AMF Mesa and AMF McRay Lanes.
"The Hall Of Fame committee put together a video about the history of ourteam. A few of the girls spoke on it," she said, reflecting on her high school career. "During the ceremony, my coach Mike Hoglund, gave a speech.
"I wish I would have given one, but I was holding back tears of joy, thinking about all of the memories I have of winning state titles," she added. "My time will come when I am inducted as an individual."
And the time will come when the MMA and Arizona State Hall OF Fames, willcome calling as well.
Mesa Bowling News - April 30, 2016