The Armstrong Girls` Varsity Bowling Team remains undefeated heading into next week’s regular season finale versus Knoch. (submitted photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
Only one undefeated bowling team remains in the Section II girls` varsity standings after last night’s victory against Butler – Armstrong.
But, while the girls` team goes into next week’s final regular season matchup already section champions, the boys’ team not only lost to Butler to tarnish their previously-perfect record, but the five-man team also was thumped to second place.
Head Coach Tom Shaner said the boys’ team lost by about 90 pins during the first and third games during the match to lead to a 7-0 loss. He did not consider replacing any of the starters with other team junior varsity bowlers.
“Our boys did well, but the Butler boys were on fire tonight,” Coach Shaner said.
“Even if we would have switched boys around, it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
Team Captain Owen Zablocki said the team lost the middle game by only a mark or two at most.
“We definitely tried our best – we gave it our all,” Zablocki said. “I think our main problem was trying to adjust to their different lanes – our balls just weren’t hooking at the same time as at our home lane.”
He was proud the team still competed even during the losses.
“(The drop to second place) was definitely disappointing because we definitely wanted to win the section, but at the same time, now that it’s happened, there’s nothing we can do about it,” Zablocki said. “We just have to go with it and move forward.”
Still, Coach Shaner was confident both the girls` and boys` teams would compete in the regional tournament
The girls` team won their match 5-2.
Girls Captain Lauren Rice said she was “very proud” of her team against the “very” competitive Butler team.
Armstrong won their first game by more than 120 pins and their second game by a single mark.
“It gets tense, but we find ways to distract ourselves from that. We sat there and colored tonight,” Rice said.
The coloring tactic was suggested by Coach Sharon Chesnutt.
Both teams compete versus Knoch next week at the same lanes in Butler.