The Worcester Tech Bowling Team has made a name for itself again after winning the state championship for the second year in a row as solo- Champs. As many student-athletes know, this is a big success for any team. It wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of team members like Paul West, Ryan Smith, Janyce Pickett, Riley Laperle, Mia Stolakis, Anthony Cormier, and Ryan West and the strong leadership of coaches Mr. Ed Miner and Mr. Tim Gribbons.
While most of us use bowling as a fun activity to pass time on the weekends with friends, these students and coaches see it as an important sport that they have devoted countless hours to. Coach Miner has been a bowler for over 30 years, so coaching the team has allowed him to stay in the game despite ability-limiting injuries. “It keeps me around the game and I love getting to know the students outside of the school environment,” says Miner.
The team practices all together once a week and they are encouraged to use the two free games a week they get for even more practice. Within the team, there are 3 groups for the athletes’ skill levels. A-Team members’ scores average from 160-200+ and they each have a few years of experience in the sport. B-Team members average between 110-160 points per game and they’ve bowled before but just need some more guidance getting to the next level. These two teams qualify for state championships but don’t fret, beginners looking to join the bowling team are always welcome. C-Team bowlers are beginners who still need some help learning the game.
Qualifying for the state tournament isn’t easy work. Teams must win 50% of their games during the season. Tech’s bowling team had a 74.4% winning percentage. On the first day of competing, “Worcester Tech qualified 1st with a total pinfall of 2437. Mia Stolakis bowled a new state single-game record in the girl’s division with a 277 and also a new 2-game series state record of 523. Paul and Ryan West both had solid performances during qualifying,” says Coach Miner. Paul West averaged 229 in the regular season, rolled a perfect 300 game last fall, and a 298 in high school competitions this winter.
Afterward, Tech faced off against Lee High School and Wahconah High School winning 2 out of the 3 games played. The second day of the competition is “singles day” where students are split up by boys and girls where boys must have a 170 average and girl bowlers must have an average of 140. Competing this year for the boys were brothers Paul and Ryan West and for the girls was Mia Stolakis along with Janyce Pickett. Paul and Mia both came away with winning the championship match, earning Paul his first singles title and Mia, her second.
Although students aren’t working together on a field or a court, they have to work together, nonetheless. Just like being a part of any team, “Everyone needs to buy into that concept for it to be successful,” Coach Miner stated. “I was very fortunate to have a few students that are really good on the team, but it really takes much more than that. Talent will only get you so far, but the real key is team chemistry.”
Whether you’re familiar with the sport of bowling, you like it or not, one thing is clear, the accomplishments of this team wouldn’t be possible without the time, effort, or determination of the students and their dedicated coaches.