Comet bowlers strike down Sailors

By John Burbridge  |  sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — It didn’t take long for the Charles City Comet bowling teams to get on a roll this season.

Hosting their season opener at Comet Bowl Tuesday against the Columbus Catholic Sailors, both of Charles City boys and girls varsity teams came away with convincing victories.

Paced by Hunter Brockney’s two-game 459 series which included a meet high game of 256, the Comet boys compiled a team series total of 2,028 as well as five Baker games totaling 1,077 for an overall score of 3,105.

The Sailors shot a 2,619.

“We lost four seniors from last year, so to shoot that high this early in the season is impressive,” Comet head coach Doug Bohlen said.

Junior Kaleb Ross had a 419 series, Nathan Schultz shot a 390 which included a 232 first game, senior anchorman Drew Mitchell scored a 389 including a 204 game, and Noah Reams and Jacob Greenzweig scored 371 and 357, respectively, for the Comets.

Defending state individual champion Macy Ross led the Comet girls with a 424 series that included a 221 in the latter game.

With Mija Cotton’s 372, Madison Ross’s 364, Falyn Knecht’s 358 and Baili Girkin’s 332 with Aryah Nelson’s 315 marked off, the Comets recorded a team series total of 1,850 and averaged slightly above 200 in the Baker round to finish at 2,851.

“That’s a team record,” Bohlen said of the girls’ score, which bested Columbus’s 2,077 by a long shot.

“Every practice we’ve had we’ve gotten better,” Bohlen said. “And our team chemistry is great. You see it more in the Baker games when they’re bowling more as a team.

“There are a lot of high-fives going around, but not just with their teammates but their opponents as well. You like to see that sportsmanship in bowling.”

The Comet junior varsity girls won their match, 1,505 to 1,081. Columbus won the jayvee boys match, 2,186 to 2,156.