Under the neon lights and the sounds of crashing pins, bowlers lined up for the districtwide match, counting every spare, every frame, every strike, every pin closer to the chance at states. After months of practice and competition, the boys and girls bowling teams were ready to compete at districts.
Both the girls and boys bowling teams competed against schools across Palm Beach County Oct. 22 at the district championship with two members advancing to the state competition next week. The boys team ended their match with playing a total of three regular bowling games and seven baker games.
In a baker game, players take turns playing one frame each. In a regular game, each player bowls their own row and has their own score at the end. The frame is the vertical column with the numbers 1-10, and the row is the player’s individual score. Players play their own frames individually, switching to the opposing team’s lane after they finish each frame. The boys team accumulated 2420 pins across all of their games, resulting in them placing fourth in the district.
“Overall, (I) couldn’t (have) asked for a better season as we beat King’s Academy, which topped the season off,” bowling team member and visual junior Silas Baroni said. “Even though we didn’t make states, we are very hopeful for next year.”
Following the event, bowling team member and vocal junior Logan Besin had qualified for the individual bowling competition at states with a total of 661 pins accumulated. The girls bowling team similarly finished their match by playing three regular games but did not place. In the end, they earned 1288 pins.
“I feel like there’s definitely a lot of room for improvement,” bowling team member and digital freshman Sophia Sanchez-Rodrigues said. “Overall, I am happy with how far the team and I have come in bowling.”
Ending with a total of 418 pins, girls bowling team captain and vocal senior Brianna Sequeira qualified for the individual bowling competition at states alongside Besin.
“I’m super happy that I made it to the states,” Sequiera said. “This will be my first time going, and the season was really fun.”
Overall, coach of both the girls and boys bowling teams and science teacher Stephen Anand said that the season has been a “journey of steady growth and resilience” and explained how he has seen the team improve in their “teamwork, focus, and mental toughness.”
“It’s definitely emotional (since) the seniors have been such a big part of the team’s identity, and it’s hard to imagine next season without them,” Mr. Anand said. “But it’s also inspiring. They’re leaving everything out there (during the game), and we want to do the same for them.”
