IAC BOWLING: WAVERLY'S GIROLAMO 'HAPPY KIDS HAVE SOMETHING TO DO' AS PRACTICE BEGINS (2020-01-04)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportWAVERLY "” There are a number of questions surrounding the upcoming bowling season, but longtime Waverly coach Pete Girolamo is just happy his teams were on the lanes here at the Valley Bowling Center for Day 1 of preparation for the 2021 season.
Traditional powerhouses in the IAC and Section IV, Girolamo teams are a mixed bag in terms of numbers for the 2021 season, with 15 boys on the roster, and just six girls.
"The boys numbers are through the ceiling, and the girls numbers are enough so that we can compete," said Girolamo. "If we actually get to do that is another story.
"Right now, we're happy the kids have something to do," he noted. "Bowling and swimming are the only (sports) going.
"We had a good practice today," Girolamo continued. "Everybody is masked, socially distanced, separate lanes ... it's difficult, but if we can give them something to do after everything they've been through, I feel good about it.
"We're going to take it one day a time. We're going to try to make the best of it, and make it so the kids have a great experience," Girolamo added. "They had fun today, and that's really the first step."
The Covid pandemic has created a number of changes, most notably the matches themselves, which will be virtual. (Waverly will bowl on its home lanes, while their opponents will bowl on theirs at the same time.)
"The state approved the virtual competition, but according to USBC rules you really can't do it," said Girolamo. "It was approved because it's one of the few ways we have, that the kids will be able to compete.
"I think we'll start out that way," he noted. "My guess is we'll take it one week at a time, see where the numbers are in terms of infection rates, and, hopefully, we'll be able to get bowl head-to-head, home and away matches later in the season."
The postseason has been drastically altered, and may be eliminated altogether.
"The state tournament and the state qualifier have officially been canceled," said Girolamo.
"The Section IV Championships, and even the IAC tournament at this point are not on the docket," said Girolamo. "Until they have been officially canceled, I will hold out hope."
Waverly will open its season Tuesday at the Valley Bowling Center against Tioga.
