This year’s Varsity Guys and Girls bowling squads have one thing in common.
Plenty of experience.
That experience will be key in trying to repeat the successes both squads achieved last season. The boys finished 8-1 and were Co-champions of the Flint Metro League, while the girls went undefeated en route to a FML regular season crown. Both teams had success in Regionals before falling short in the state finals.
The boys squad is top heavy with seniors; seven out of the nine roster spots are seniors. The girls squad features senior bowlers mixed with girls who have bowled a few years on the Junior Varsity squad. ‘We’re on par with where we have been the last few years,? said Head Coach JR Lafnear.
Among the seven girls that make up the team, five of them are seniors: Kelly Cartner, Sarah Decker, Anna Tomaka, Elizabeth Taylor and Chantle Vandervoort.
According to Lafnear, Kelly was the team’s high average bowler and also a state qualifier. ‘She brings great leadership and is an outstanding bowler.?
Lafnear is looking for Decker, who has been in the program for three years, to have a breakout year. ‘She is very experienced and primed to have a great senior year.?
On the boys side, Seniors Mike Magyar, Brandon Wynkoop, and Sean LeBlanc should provide the necessary leadership and consistent scoring to propel the team towards another FML title.
According to Lafnear, Magyar was one of the top bowlers on a team that qualified for state finals. ‘He was truly one of the top-average bowlers we had last year…he is very experienced and very knowledgeable.?
Lafnear also said that Wynkoop’s experience will also be valuable to the team since there are only two returning starters from last year’s team.
LeBlanc, who is new to the team this year, has spent the last couple of years honing his skills at the JV level. ‘He had an outstanding JV season last year and was their high-average bowler from last year and should be a big help,? said Lafnear.
Other seniors include Matt Baggett, Ross Hadden, Corey Young and Adam Bisaro.
This year’s boys team has been the biggest team that Lafnear has fielded on the varsity level for both the boys and girls. ‘We’re getting more kids participating and playing, which is a big help; so we had more talent to choose from.?
The squads open the season on Dec. 5 at Brandon.