The St. Anthony’s boys and girls bowling teams have both won their share of CHSAA titles marking back to 1982. In the last two years, both teams have started to enjoy some popularity at St. Anthony’s, with over 20 kids trying out per team and each squad carrying up to 15 members each. Our varsity bowling program is slowly regaining popularity with some of the top athletes from football, soccer and even baseball trying out for this winter sport. This year, the girls team made some noise in the league and as time progresses both teams hope to one day claim another league title.
Entering playoffs, the girls’ varsity bowling team earned a win against St. Marys on Feb. 3rd in the quarter finals, advancing to the semi-finals on Feb. 5th. The girls came in on a strong note with a 9-0 win vs. SM, being led by Sophomore Natalie Stalhut, a key player for the team who raked up a total of 384 points at the quarter finals. Another key bowler for SA is Sophomore Kylie Benes who totaled 365 points at the end of the match, followed by So. Cristina Sabella (352), Sr. Paige Hasselberger (358) and Sr. Captain Cara Bonavita who tallied 332 points. The Friars needed the win to keep advancing and they’ve successfully accomplished their first mission.
Going into Championship week, Bonavita stated she had, “very high expectations”, when asked about the team winning, and added “they are highly skilled and GOING FOR IT [win]”. Her high expectations come from an 8-4 season with a five game win streak early in the season and back to back wins just before champs.
“The other teams are very competitive in our league and it is not easy,” commented Stalhut, when asked about her confidence, as a bowler with the highest average on the team going into the playoffs. “I wish for the best, we worked hard, so hopefully we can make it to finals,” she continued. Stalhut’s skills earned her All League Honors and a place in the individual Champs on 2/13 where she bowled a 523 series. Only being a sophomore, she is excited about possibilities for the years to come.
“We’ve always been building a team up,” said girls coach Fahey, “This is the first team in a long time with mostly underclassmen.” She sees this young team who will only lose 3 seniors and currently has one Junior and 11 sophomores on it as a huge positive come next year. “These girls will stay, it will be a solid team in the future,” she notes optimistically. Fahey encourages the team by reminding them that they are supposed to have fun since bowling is a common family fun game.
Unfortunately, this young team could not overcome the 2019-2020 League Champions Kellenberg in the semifinals. The Firebirds went 12-0 for the season and gave up only 3 games the whole season. St. Anthony’s finished third in the league this year behind St. John the Baptist.
A young boys squad was led by Junior Jonathan Dejesus and Freshmen Captain Dominik Rossi whose expectations going into champs was “for everyone to bowl their best.” The team finished 3-10 against a very strong CHSAA league and will only lose 2 seniors. Rossi raked up a total of 574 points at the team Champs on Feb. 3rd for three games and earned a spot in the individual champs on Feb. 5th, along with freshmen teammate Giacomo Marziliano. Rossi’s hard work paid off as a freshmen earning High Series of the Year for the league and earning a bid to the State Bowling Tournament on March 7th at Levittown Lanes, along with Giacomo, both earning All League Honors.
Keep an eye out for our young bowling Friars and if you’re looking for a championship team to be part of, take the summer to strengthen your bowling skills. We will see you next winter!
Heather Occhino is a senior at St. Anthony’s, writing for Scoreboard for her second year. She is also a member of Creative Writing Club, Special Needs Ministry, Chorus and Theatre Arts. She plans to major in English at college and become a journalist.
