While most coaches judge a successful season on their final record, bowling coach James Dalessio evaluates his athletes based on individual improvement and team unity. He is very satisfied with the way his team has performed this season.
“We have a great group of athletes who really work hard on their skills,” said Dalessio. “I focus on watching athletes pick up their spares and improve their average. Most of our athletes have improved their average by over 20 pins since the beginning of the season!”
Dalessio knows that many of the teams Mahwah participates against has bowlers who have practiced the sport for years. It is different for his own athletes.
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“Most teams that we play against have athletes that bowl all year round. When you look at our team, all but one of them only bowl in the winter. Justin is the only one that bowls in a separate league. ”
Justin Lombardoni, a junior who averages a 144 score per game, says it is important for Mahwah bowlers to focus on their own game.
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“We know that a lot of the teams we face have very good bowlers,” he said. “We don’t think about their game. We only focus on ourselves.”
Coach Dalessio told us his athletes have more to worry about than just their opponents.
“You always have to worry about the lane conditions,” he said. “Each lane may have its own different obstacle and bowlers must make adjustments.”
Senior Alise Strauch believes there is a lot more to bowling than just winning. “It’s not a stressful sport at all and you meet people you may not have normally met. It is a very good thing to do after school.”
Fourth year bowler Matt Yorio enjoys being a part of the team, and says all of the athletes work very well together.
Yorio, who also helps out with the varsity baseball team, says it is important to be a good leader for the 10 freshman on the bowling team.
“I try to motivate the younger athletes by cheering them on. I also try to give them tips and advice whenever I notice something with their game,” said Yorio.
Coach Dalessio is very happy with his team’s performance this season and is very excited to see how his younger athletes perform next season. He also urges more students to try out for the team next season.
“It is a great sport and a great experience for everyone who is on the team. I would advise anyone interested to come out for the team next season,” said the coach.
Mahwah Bowlers and Their Average Per Game
Girls Team
Elizabeth Bengtsson 93
Alisson Homler 124
NaYoung Kim 95
Alise Strauch 113
Esther Kim 125
Kimberly Halperin 71
Leah Fishkin 109
Ananyna Kunte 105
Anna Zaat 89
Do Yun Kim 100
Boys Team
Kyle Coterino 126
Perry Starr 144
Justin Lombardoni 144
Kevin Knapp 150
Jason Floyd 145
TJ Hannon 125
Michael Dunko 115
Matt Yorio 101
Scott Fishkin 121
Adam Rosen 112
Jared Kornfeld-Lowey 103
Eli Iandau 105
Congratulations to the team on a season well bowled!
