Every Pin Counts

The boys and girls bowling teams have started their 2017 season strong after two meet wins and success at the annual Prairie Baker Tournament.

Tristin Kelley (12) currently leads the boys’ team with an average of 226.5 pins.

The boys barely beat Independence at their home turf, winning by only nine pins, 2,832-2,823. In contrast, they bowled over Vinton-Shellsburg by almost 300 pins with a score of 3,182-2,890.

“With the amount of improvement we’re gaining in the time we have, I have no doubt that we could get a repeat (team) of last year’s at State,” captain Ian Tibbott (11) said.

On Dec. 16, the varsity boys traveled to Lancer Lanes in Cedar Rapids for the Prairie Baker Tournament. Coach Bob Morris noted the highlight of their day was when Tibbott struck out in the 10th frame both games against No. 1 Waterloo West team, winning that set. However, they ended up placing 11th out of 18 teams, missing a qualifying position into bracket play.

“We couldn’t quite get into the flow of things, but I was pleased with the boys’ effort,” Morris said. “All positives came out of that tournament; no matter how we place, the experience is a plus.”

For the girls’ side, captain Andrea Salow (12) leads the team with a high average of 183.5 after four games.

The girls rolled over Independence by nearly 750 pins, 2,284-1,524, and won against Vinton-Shellsburg, 2,560-2,527.

“With the dedication that the girls have shown to getting better each and every week, there is no reason to think that they will not finish the season very strongly,” coach Ken Boesenberg said.

The dedication also carried the girls’ team to enter bracket play at the Prairie Baker Tournament on Dec. 9, as the seventh seed.

Even though three of the girls hadn’t bowled in the tournament, Boesenberg still believed in them with “utmost confidence because of (their) preparation” going into bracket play.

Their first round opponent was No. 1 ranked in Class 1A, Louisa-Muscatine.

“I was really anxious going into bracket play because I knew how good (Louisa-Muscatine could) bowl,” Lacey Cole (11) said.

The team battled against Louisa-Muscatine in a best two out of three baker round; however, both the Hawks and Falcons won one game and tied the third round. To continue into quarterfinals, one team had to win in a five frame roll-off.

“The last frame in the third game to determine the winner of the set was so intense,” sophomore Hannah Axline said. “The fact that we were so close to beating such a high-ranked team in our division was insane but exhilarating.”

In the end, Louisa-Muscatine defeated the Hawks with almost a perfect half game of 149, with West Delaware scoring 97.

“I told a number of people that I was the happiest person in Delaware County because of the way this young team held together,” Boesenberg said. “It will be one of the big highlights of this season for this very young squad.”

The Hawks’ next home meet is Friday, Dec. 22, against the Decorah Vikings.