Baldwin Boys Place Third at WPIBL Team Championships

 competed in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League boys team championships at White Oak Bowl on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

The Baldwin boys, who racked up a 10-0 section record this season on their way to a WPIBL Central Section championship, finished in a tie for third place in the WPIBL team championships on Wednesday. Both Baldwin and East Allegheny High School totaled a score of 2,444 pins to finish behind Hempfield Area (2,565) and (2,446) high schools.

"Well, the boys were in eighth place after the first and second games ... and finished [in] third place," Baldwin's Head Coach Cindy Geis said. "The tournament was so close. They were out of second place by two pins, heartbreaking to hear.

"It was a team effort to come back to finish in the top three."

All seven of the Highlanders' bowlers contributed to their team's final score. Senior Tyler Sterrett was the team's top finisher with a 523 total, bolstered by a team-high 194 in the third game. Junior Neil Debski finished right behind Sterrett with a 521 total. Senior Drew Hartman rolled a stellar 501, and classmate Jim Stoicovy, who racked up a 489 total, was the other Highlander to have all three of his games count toward his team's final score.

Seniors Mike Blystone (167 in the third game), Matt Groesch (123 in the first game) and Chris Lepley (120 in the second game) each contributed as well.

The Highlanders boys will now compete in the individual regional bowling championships at North Versailles Bowling Center on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 9 a.m. (as will the Baldwin girls).

The team regional championships will be held there the next day, also at 9 a.m. Full Baldwin boys and girls squads will compete in that team event as well.

Based on their performances from this season, Sterrett, Debski, Hartman, Stoicovy and Groesch will all compete in the individual regional championships.

Baldwin will field three bowlers in the girls individual regional championships – senior Kaitie Baldauf, junior Ashley Niziol and sophomore Lizzie Geis.

The WPIBL girls team championships will be held at Family Bowlaway today, Thursday, Feb. 24, at 3:30 p.m.

Baldwin's girls were also Central Section champions this season, having compiled a 9-1 section record.

Check back with the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch for updates.