District action takes place this week for local bowlers
HARTINGTON-The first season of sanctionedbowling at HarlingtonNewcastle is reaching its apex as the district tournament is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday at Kings Lanes in Norfolk.
The Wildcats will face off against teams from Plainview, Wayne and Thurston-Cuming County in both boys and girls action while the boys also have Norfolk Catholic/ Lutheran High Northeast to face.
Bowling Coach Nate Holan said he is hoping the Norfolk alley helps to give his team an advantage.
“We have bowled at Kings Lanes twice this year and the boys finished fourth at a tournament and won their duel against Norfolk Catholic/ Lutheran High Northeast,” Wildcats coach Nate Nolan said. “The girls got third at the tournament. The boys have a 6-3 record against the teams at districts while the girls are 3-4. Whenever we bowl at Kings Lanes there seems to be a good amount of oil on the lanes so our biggest challenge will be getting everyone lined up correctly to start and make the adjustments needed.”
The Wildcat boys went 9-7 overall this regular season while the girls wrapped it with a 7-7 mark and Holan said the first year as a sanctioned sport was a successful one.
“Most importantly there was a lot of improvement from all our kids,” Holan said. “Having only one senior between both teams, it was very important to get better every week. This will allow both teams to have a shot at winning districts as well as setting us up to have a very competitive team next year.
The season was made a little more difficult because of health mandates limiting spectators.
“I think the biggest challenge was being able to find opportunities to allow spectators. I believe everywhere we went did a good job of keeping everyone distanced when fans were allowed or streaming our duels so fans could watch when they weren’t allowed to attend,” he said.
Rebekah Pinkelman and Colin Potts have been the team’s most consistent bowlers, according to Holan.
“They have done a nice job of stepping up during games that others mightbe struggling,” Holan said. “It surprises me how well Kaydence McCray and Mayson McIntosh have bowled this year. They had little to no experience before this year and have bowled some really good games for us. They are starting to put everything together and done a really nice job for us this year.”
Even though it’s only year one for the program, Holan thinks that both teams could have a shot at a run to the state tournament through the district competition.
“In my opinion the boys match up really well with the other teams in districts,” he said. With how well they have been bowling in our duels/tournament the last couple weeks I’m excited to see how they bowl at districts.
“I think the girls will have a tougher time trying to win districts as Wayne is first in power points in the state. We bowled well against them the last time we faced them, so I expect to see that again. I believe at least two boys and two girls will qualify for state in singles. There are several others that will have a chance as well.”
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