The girls varsity bowlers kept their aim on target and began the season taking out two opponents.
They beat Troy for their opening match in the season, 22-10, on Dec. 8.
‘The girls started strong,? said Coach Rodney Pierson.
Caitlyn Stebbins led the team, scoring a 197 on her first game, and a 178 on her second. Stephanie Wiley also won both of her games.
She bowled a 156 and a 183. Ashley Batzer and Stephanie Lavely won their second game. Lavely bowled a 206 and Batzer, 182. The girls also defeated Lake Orion on Dec. 14, 19-11.
Stebbins and Batzer led the team winning both their games, Stebbins 191 and 112 and Batzer 158 and 180. Wiley won her first game 170.
Pierson said he sees the girls continuing to have a great year, with four of last year’s players returning after they took first in the OAA conference.
‘They look very well,? he said. ‘The girls will do the same as they did last year. They are going to be a strong team and a tough team to beat.?
Pierson added new members Brenna Witherspoon, Erica Nowak and Holly
Pantea will build on to the team’s future.
The boys started their season on a memorable note against Troy when senior Paul Anderson bowled a perfect game.
‘It’s a big achievement,? said Pierson. ‘Let alone a senior in high school.?
The boys lost against Troy, 18-12. Bobby Peterson won his game with a 215. They turned things around when they faced Lake Orion in the next competition and won, 25-5.
‘The team is in a building year,? said Pierson. ‘They lost four last year and we have Paul and Nick Cooper returning. We have a core to build around.?
New to the team is Peterson, Chris Benedict, Mike Stolnicki and Chris Gemborys.
Pierson noted the boys are evenly matched with teams in the OAA this season.
‘They can do fairly well if they achieve their potential and avoid simple mistakes,? he added.
Both teams competed in the Bangor John Glenn Holiday Bowling Invitational before going on break.
The boys took 11th place. The high scorers from Clarkston were Cooper in sixth place, scoring 675 after three games and Anderson in 25th, 613 in three games. The girls took 10th place and were led by Lavely and Stebbins. Lavely bowled 515, in a total of three games and took 23rd place. Stebbins took 31st and bowled 493.
They return from winter break to take on Troy-Athens on Jan. 5. The meet at Thunderbird Lanes starts at 3:30 p.m.