Bowling Team Looking for Fans, Support

When varsity bowler senior Kristin Anthonis gets set for her first throw, she looks into the small crowd at the alley. She sees only familiar faces – the faces of parents, siblings, and the occasional close friend who comes to share their support.

“I wish more people came to the meets,” Anthonis said. “Not a lot of people know about bowling because it’s not really advertised throughout the school.”

Since Anthonis wishes the team would get more recognition throughout the school to spread the word about bowling, she, along with the coaches, was surprised to see the number of new prospective bowlers at the upcoming tryouts. The team hopes to replace the seniors that left a mark on the team last year. Bowling is different from other winter sports like basketball and swimming. It’s a sport that is mainly only heard about through the morning announcements.

That’s how Anthonis found out about the bowling team her freshman year. She was sitting in World Geography and an announcement came on about bowling tryouts. The whole class was laughing and thought of it as a joke. Anthonis, who had been in a bowling league over the summer, thought that it might be something fun to try; she has been on the East bowling team ever since.

The team’s seriousness towards the sport varies from player to player. They treat their meets just like a more “formal” practice. At meets, they are required to wear their uniforms, take off jewelry and they are not allowed to eat. At practices, they don’t follow many of these rules, but their coaches don’t mind as long as they are practicing and trying their hardest.

“The coaches are pretty laid back,” returning varsity bowler Brandon Shatto said. “They just want us to play well.”

One of these coaches is varsity coach and math teacher Patricia Kennedy. She has been a coach for five years and plans to continue coaching this year and in years to come.

The team and coaches are hoping to play well this year after losing eight seniors who were some of the team’s best players. Last year the team took one of their former players, Ali Dees, to State but she did not end up placing. Out of the 28 players on the team, three of the top seniors from last year such as Brennan Burns, Johnny Sheahan and Pete Peterson will also have to be replaced. This year’s seniors are realizing that they are going to need to step up their game and take leadership over the team.

“Next to Ali Dees, I was one of the best on the team,” Anthonis said. “Now with her gone, I’ll have a chance to do better and help out the team.”

The returning players plan on focusing and putting their best into the upcoming season. Tryouts begin tomorrow at College Lanes bowling alley and will be going until Dec. 2; the returning players are expecting to do their best.

Kennedy is happy to see that this year a lot of new people are trying out, despite the time commitment. The team is forced to take long drives out to the meets and has two-hour practices five days a week.

Anthonis hopes that the team does well this season and starts to gain public support and more fans. But for now, the team relies on each other for encouragement.

“We get along really well with each other,” Anthonis said. “It’s like we are a little family of bowlers.”