IAC BOWLING: WAVERLY TEAMS PRIMED FOR RETURN TO TOP IN 2019-20 (2019-12-11)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportWAVERLY "” The Waverly bowling teams have had a stranglehold on the IAC Large School Division for years - 15 straight division title for the girls and eight in a row for the boys to be exact, but both teams saw those runs end last year.
Both teams could be primed for a return to the top spot in 2019-20.
Coach Pete Girolamo, who has been at the helm of the Wolverine bowling program since Day 1, is hoping for another set of titles, but not for the reason you might think.
"The bottom line is you win the division titles for the automatic bid to the Section IV State Qualifier, that's our goal," said Girolamo. "It's nice to have a lot of titles in a row, don't get me wrong.
"When we first started this program, an IAC title was like a giant goal, but we've moved into a different echelon," noted Girolamo. "Those titles are still a good thing, but it's a stepping stone to winning a Sectional title.
"If you don't get the automatic bid, then you either have to win the Sectional title or finish second. It's tough, there are 14 Class B schools, so you have to beat a lot of teams.
"In the years when we had the great boys teams, the Sectional title was a stepping stone to the State Qualifier. We went there five times, and the irony is three times we would have been state champs if they had the same format they do now - Small School and Large School championships, instead of just one division," Girolamo added.
The IAC bowling season is under way, with both Waverly teams 8-0 after two matches. The Waverly boys finished first at Saturday's IAC Kick-Off Tournament, and the Lady Wolverines placed second.
"The one thing the (IAC Kick-Off Tournament) showed us is that we're the best boys team now, but that doesn't mean we will be at the end," said Girolamo. "It also showed us we're the second-best girls team, and it's not even close because Union Springs is 200 pins better than us.
"We have a lot of work to do if the girls team wants to get that bid, and we have a lot of work to continue to do if the boys want that automatic bid," he added.
The last two years have seen a big decline in numbers for the program, but that trend did a complete 180-degree turnaround for 2019-20.
"This is the first time in eight years, I've had to cut kids," said Girolamo. "We had 34 kids come out for our program, but it's a good problem.
"Honestly, I don't ever take credit for that," he noted. "The fact is, the junior program here (at the Valley Bowling Center) is once again seeing bigger numbers, and that feeds our bowling program.
"We do go after kids who aren't playing a sport in the winter, for example Haley Kittle. She is very athletic, and plays golf for me. I asked her to bowl, and she said she'd give it a try," added Girolamo. "But, we never put pressure on kids, we just tell them we're here if they want to give it a try, and that's where we leave it."
Girolamo is also thankful for his home lanes - the Valley Bowling Center, and his coaching staff.
"We have the best facility in Section IV," he said. "I have (VBC proprietor) Greg (Joseph) on my staff, and my student-teacher Donnie Wainwright, who has bowling experience, has been helping, so there are three of us at practice.
"It makes a difference because kids get attention," explained Girolamo. "People don't realize how important that is. It's more important that we're fixing things in practice, so the kids aren't doing something incorrectly in matches."
BOYSThe Wolverines will be anchored by senior Derrick Canfield, and freshman Zach Vanderpool.
"Derrick changed his delivery to two hands," said Girolamo. "We talked about it all summer, and he believes he's getter reaction with the equipment.
"I support him 100 percent, and I've seen him bowl phenomenal with two hands," noted Girolamo. "He hasn't bowled anywhere near his potential in the early-going, but that's OK. He has time to get it going.
"There will be some growing pains for him, but I think in the long run it's really going to help him," Girolamo added.
"Zach is an unbelievable talent," he said. "People don't get this, but he bowls all summer, he bowls YBT, and he bowls in all the invitational tournaments.
"Another big thing is he plays football for us," noted Girolamo. "He's bigger, he's been lifting like made, so he's stronger, and he is mentally tougher when he bowls. I firmly believe football is a big part of that toughness.
"Honestly, last year when he and Derrick didn't qualify for States, it was because they were not mature enough to handle adversity. That's what it came down to, not that they weren't good enough," added Girolamo. "I think both have turned the corner, I think they both have legitimate shots for States."
Juniors Richard Stevens and Matt Mauersberg, freshman Ashton Pritchard, sophomore Cody Blackwell, freshman Ethan Roberts, and 8th-grader Carter Hayes will compete for the remaining spots in the top-six.
"Richard, Ashton, and Matt have improved tremendously," said Girolamo. "We have five pretty darn good guys. All three are solid bowlers. I expect them to consistently be in the high 500s, and occasionally pop out a 600 series.
"That being said, we have some other guys who are good, too," noted Girolamo. "Ethan has really progressed, and Cody and Carter are solid.
"We're going to be deep, but the question is can we keep getting better?," added Girolamo. "I think we have a legitimate shot of going to States."
Also vying for a top-six spot are junior Candon Westervelt, sophomores Jacob Forest and Cayden Turcsik, and freshmen Landyn Gunderson.
GIRLSThe Lady Wolverines return seniors Mackenzie Plouse, Sadie VanAllen, Megan Lee, and Morgan Lee, freshman Victoria Houseknecht and 8th-grader Rachel Houseknecht.
Freshman Shantilly Decker is a newcomer who has already made an impact. Other newcomers include junior Haley Kittle and Taylor Thomas, sophomore Sage Garrison, and freshman Taylor Akins.
"Mackenzie is very good, and hasn't bowled up to her ability to this point in the season," said Girolamo.
"The Houseknecht girls are very good, and they will continue to improve, and Shantilly (Decker) has bowled very well," noted Girolamo. "All three are in the junior program.
"I don't like to put pressure on anyone, but I think we have three girls who could legitimately qualify for States in Mackenzie, Victoria, and Rachel," added Girolamo. "It would be a long-shot for someone like Shantilly to make it; ability-wise yes, but she hasn't been there yet."
Girolamo believes the Lady Wolverines will only get better as the season progresses.
"There's a tremendous amount of room for improvement.
"If these girls can gain some confidence, and start making spares, it's a totally different game," said Girolamo. "The ceiling is so high for girls, much more so than the guys.
"You can take a girl like Sadie (VanAllen), she averages 135 or 140. The other night she strung a few strikes together, and made her spares, and rolled a 185," added Girolamo. "Spares are so important."
Girolamo says Union Springs / Port Byon
"I think we're going to have a tough time with Union Springs, but they are beatable," said Girolamo. "They have four good bowlers, who make spares and do everything you're suppose to do.
"In the past, if you lost a point here or there it was OK," he noted. "I don't think we can do that this year because I don't think there's another team in the league that can beat Union Springs.
"I think we need to go to Union Springs today and get at least a split, that would be giant," he added. "If we go 0-4, then we have to beat them here."
"”"”"”"”"”"”
IN PHOTO: Waverly's Zach Vanderpool (left) and Derrick Canfield.
