Bowling team getting ready for Districts

HART1NGTON -The HarlingtonNewcastle bowling teams continue their push toward the postseason in the first year as a sanctioned club.

If they want to advance to State, they will have to win Districts, as they cannot qualify as a Wildcard.

“Both the boys and girls teams have had a nice season but unfortunately they won’t be high enough in the power points to earn a wildcard spot,” coach Nate Holan said. “So, for us to go to state we will have to win our district. Both teams have worked hard this year and are both capable of winning districts. If we continue to improve and bowl well in districts, we will have a shot at making state.

“I would say Colin Potts and Rebekah Pinkelman are our top, most consistent bowlers. They are able to hit their spots the best and do a good job picking up their spares. They do a good job of making adjustments throughout their games.”

On Jan. 9, the boys and girls took on Plainview and Wayne in a dual meet, with the boys beating the later by 183.

Jack Stevens rolled a 189, Charlie Dendinger had a 224 and 159, Potts had a 196, Mayson McIntosh bowled a 159, and Jeremiah Polak had a 133 and 134.

Wayne got one up on the Wildcats, winning thatboys competition, 18-3. Potts bowled a 188, Stevens had a 146, Dendinger added a 136, Polak had a 133 and McIntosh a 116.

The girls’ scores reflected the same results as they beat Plainview 19-3 and lost to Wayne 18-3.

Faith Pinkelman had a 123 and 169, Rebekah Pinkelman finished with a 144 and 174, Meredith McGregor rolled a 126 and 145, Kaydence McCray bowled a 106 and Grace Kleinschmit had an 86.

Against Wayne, Rebekah Pinkelman had a 139 and 167, McGregor had a 170, McCray shot a 156, Faith Pinkelman bowled a 130 and Grace Kleinschmit tossed a 93 and 94.

The Wildcats followed up with a Jan. 14 dual at Pender against Thurston-Curring County.

The boys won 17.5 - 3.5 and the girls fell 20-1.

Potts bowled a 178 and 208, Dendinger had a 129 and 131, Stevens finished with a 107, Polak rolled a 106 and McIntosh finished with a 95.

In the loss, Rebekah Pinkelman had a 112 and Faith Pinkelman bowled 111. McCray contributed a 101, Kleinschmit added a 77 and McGregor a 69.

Last weekend, the teams returned to Pender for the TC Thunder Invite. The boys were down a bowler but still finished in second place.

The squad lost to Howells-Dodge 3-0 in the final after beating the hosts 3-1 in the semifinal of the baker’s bracket.

Dendinger rolled a 146 and 201, Polak bowled a 152 and 160, McIntosh finished with a 125 and 169, Stevens added a 147 and 163.

The girls also got to the final and dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to Humphrey-LindsayHolyFamilyafter a 3-1 semifinal win over the host.

Rebekah Pinkelmanbowled a 148, 158, and 179, McGregor had a 159, Faith Pinkelman scored a 129 and 138, McCray contributed a 125,126, and 135 and Kleinschmit ended up with a 120.

“The most improved over the last month for the boys is really the trio of Jack, Jeremiah and Mayson,” Holan said. “They all three have done a nice job working hard in practice. We have been able to fix a lot of things and theyhave translated into their games as their games have been higher and more consistent.”

Rebekah Pinkelman has seen vast improvement, he said.

“Rebekah has done a real nice job of getting better at throwing a good first ball and picking up her spares. This has allowed her to have higher and more consistent scores,” he said.

The district tournament is Feb. 3 in Norfolk and the six district winners, along with two wildcards head to the state finals on Feb. 9.

The top eight boys and top seven girls with the highest three-game totals will advance to the state singles competition on Feb. 8.

“Ido believe this season has been a success,” Holan said. “Both teams have a good chance to finish with a winning record. From starting the season not knowingifwe would even field a full team to being one of the top teams in our district really shows the growth both teams have made. We’ve told them the whole year to keep getting better each week and they have.”

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