After Rough Season Openers, Saturday Tourney A Bright Spot for Hawks Bowlers

Though the bowling teams lost two games to Brick Memorial in their season opening matchups Friday, both teams bounced back to find success in a weekend tournament. 

The girls team captured the first place spot in the tournament, while the boys finished fifth. 

"The girls would not be denied," said their coach, Mike McCrae. 

Despite a "disappointing" opener against Brick Memorial in which his team lost two of three games, McCrae said that his bowlers had the determination to bounce back for the Bishop Ahr Holiday Classic in North Brunswick on Saturday.

The Lady Hawks swept the girls side of the tournament, finishing ahead of Brick Memorial and Brick Township, which placed second and third, respectively. 

McCrae said that the girl's previous best finish at this competition was fourth place. 

"After the disappointment on Friday, this was an even better way to start off the season," he said. 

Freshman Julia Ott led the team at the tournament, scoring a 631 series. Senior captains Julie Taylor and Olivia Osterberg finished with a 626 and 586 series, respectively.

During the season opener Friday, boys coach Bryan Vargas said his team "didn't bowl to our potential" on the lanes against rival Brick Memorial. 

"We missed makeable spares and we couldn't consistently hit our target," he said. "We didn't reach 1000 [pins] in any game, which is a formula for defeat."

After losing the first two games, the team rallied to take third.

"We are capable of shooting better and we are working towards working out the kinks," Vargas said. 

Saturday's fifth place finish in the Bishop Ahr tournament was a shining moment for some boys bowlers. Senior Ryan Kenny was honored for shooting the third highest game at 269 and second highest series, a 747. Fellow seniors Alan Garcia and Marc Stutler helped lead the team by rolling 651 and 635 series, respectively.

"We're hoping to carry this momentum with us this week for our three matches," Vargas said. 

The girls and boys teams will face Toms River South on Tuesday, Dec. 6, Toms River North on Thursday, Dec. 8, and Lakewood on Friday, Dec. 9. All matches begin at 3 p.m. at Ocean Lanes in Lakewood. 

Then on Saturday, Dec. 10, bowlers will compete in the South Jersey Singles Classic, 12:30 p.m. at Ocean Lanes. 

Vargas has high hopes for his bowlers, who have placed high in the tournament before.

"The past two boys champions have been Manchester bowlers, and last year's champ Alan Garcia hopes to defend his title," Vargas said.