By Gabriel Ouzounian
Review Staff Writer
With the winter sports season nearly upon Lake Orion, most teams are hard at work preparing. The school’s bowling team is no exception.
Head Coach Kevin Crowther said an early look at the boys and girls teams indicate they could have a promising season ahead.
‘We have some kids we’ve had for four years,? said Crowther, ‘I don’t want to get overexcited too early, but I really think that if both teams come together just so, it could be a special year.?
For the girls, one of those returning players includes senior Kate Gladstone, who finished second in the state in 2010. Senior Casey Baryla has begun to play on the same level as Gladstone. Crowther added that three up and coming juniors – Rebecca Mix, Alicia Babicz, and Kendra Stankiewicz – are also returning.
Meanwhile on the boys? team, three seniors, Mike Brumit, Kevin Yang and Scott Chisholm, are returning. A fourth senior – Brad Carrolyn – joins them on the varsity team this year. As far as underclassmen, Crowther specifically mentioned Brumit’s brother, Wess, who played varsity his freshman year and will be returning once again.
Crowther said his assistant coach, Bill George, thinks the boys are really good but simply do not know it yet.
‘He talks a lot about this group of guys,? said Crowther. ‘Once they figure out what they’re capable of, they’re really going to turn some heads.?
The boys started slow in 2010, but finished fourth in the league. While Crowther called the season a learning experience, he said the team reveled in how close they came to beating the defending state champions – Detroit Catholic Central – with a score of just four pins shy.
Those four pins put the team in fourth place, illustrating just how competitive the state bowling finals can be.
The situation is similar with the girls, who are coached by Assistant Coach Denny O’Neil.
‘The girls, on the other hand, know how good they can be,? said Crowther. ‘The thing they have to learn is to stay together as a team. There can sometimes be personality conflicts in the group and we’re trying to work that out before the season starts up.?
The girls finished second last year in the OAA behind Clarkston. Their only loss was in the league was against the Wolves. Crowther said they walked into regionals planning on going to states, but a couple of things went wrong. Despite playing well, it simply wasn’t good enough at the playoff level, he said.
Despite the returning talent and experienced teams, Crowther said he is always hoping to add more members to the team. Any interested students should contact him as soon as possible.