IAC BOWLING: WAVERLY COACH BELIEVES BOYS, GIRLS WILL BOTH BE 'IN THE MIX' FOR DIVISION TITLES (2022-11-29)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — The Waverly boys won the IAC Large School Division title, and the IAC Championship tournament, and the Lady Wolverines finished in the division, and third at the league meet. Second-year coach Derek Bowman is looking for similar success for the Wolverines in 2022-23.

“We have high expectations for this season, but we’ll take it one match at a time,” said Bowman.

“Based on what we did last year, I think we’ll be in the mix at the end,” he added.

Bowman said the boys numbers — 15 — are good, but the girls numbers are low.

“The numbers on the boys side are good,” he said. “For the girls, not so much, but that’s something I’ll need to do a better job with. Hopefully, the girls can help me, too.”

BOYS
Waverly posted a 50-2 record in 2021-21, won the division and the league tournament, finished third at the Section IV, Class C Championships, and fifth at the State Qualifier.

Senior Zach Vanderpool paced Waverly’s efforts throughout the season, and advanced to States with a second-place finish at the State Qualifier.

“Zach (Vanderpool) has worked extremely hard from the end of last season,” said Bowman. “He went to Junior Gold and was in the top 44 percent out of 1,200 bowlers.

“He’s put in the work,” he added. “Hopefully, it pays off this year.”

The Wolverines return virtually en tact for the 2022-23 season.

“We only lost one senior who was in and out of the lineup,” said Bowman. “Some of the guys we have coming back worked hard, and with some of them we have some work to do.”

The other five starting spots in the top six are still to be determined.

“It’s up for grabs. We have eight or nine boys who are competing for those spots,” said Bowman Monday — the day before the team’s season-opening match against Lansing.

“We’re having a bowl-off today for tomorrow.

“With the way it’s been with (football) playing into the winter season, and the band being in Florida last week, we haven’t had a full official practice until today, and we turn around tomorrow and have our first match,” Bowman noted.

Bowman believes he has many strong candidates to fill out the line-up, which he notes could be different every match.

“Tristan Campbell and Derek Johnson, both freshmen, were in and out of the line-up last year as 8th-graders. They’ve worked extremely hard, and were in leagues all summer long.

“From the few games I’ve seen, their numbers have gone way up,” said Bowman.

“Michael Cole didn’t bowl last year … he came back out this year as a senior, I think he can contribute.

“Ashton Pritchard has been here, and knows the ropes. I think he’s another one who will contribute,” noted Bowman. “Trenton Sindoni will give us some good numbers, and should be in the top six.

“Carter Hayes is another one who should help us,” added Bowman.

Waverly’s boys roster consists of seniors: Zach Vanderpool, Ashton Pritchard, Kyle Peterson, Landyn Gunderson, Michael Cole, and Ethan Roberts; juniors: Carter Hayes and Trenton Sindoni; freshmen: Derek Johnson and Tristan Campbell; 8th-graders: Mason Apgar and Cullen Sharpsteen; and 7th-graders: Carter Allen, Logan Robinson, and Trevor Allen.

“We have a good mixture of young bowlers and veterans,” said Bowman..

GIRLS
The Lady Wolverines posted a 47-5 record in the regular season, finished second in the division, third at the league tournament, and fourth at the Class C Championships.

Bowman said the girls team returns en tact, and has added one bowler to the mix.

“We lost one senior from last year, but she packed up and left in the middle of the season, so we really have the same team we finished with last year, plus Karis Hayes,  a 7th-grader,” said Bowman.

“I believe (Karis) will step in and be a contributor this season,” added Bowman. “I think she can step up and provide a spark for us at the end of the lineup and really help us.”

Seniors Victoria Houseknecht and Shantilly Decker, and junior Rachel Houseknecht return to lead the Lady Wolverines.

Rachel Houseknecht and Victoria Houseknecht finished 2-3 in the IAC in average last year, and Decker was seventh in the league.

“The older Houseknecht girls and Shantilly Decker are all back,” said Bowman. “All three have worked extremely hard, and bowled all summer long.

“Serenity Conklin (22nd in IAC in season average) has been with us for three years, and Emily Houseknecht bowled with us last year,” added Bowman. “I think they should both be improved from last year.”

Waverly’s girls roster consists of seniors: Shantilly Decker and Victoria Houseknecht; junior Rachel Houseknecht; sophomore Serenity Conklin; 8th-grader Emily Houseknecht; and 7th-grader Karis Hayes.