After graduating many seniors last year, the Hoover varsity bowling teams are rebuilding and looking forward to their season. Unlike other sports where athletes have been playing for years, many join the bowling teams as beginning competitors. Veteran bowler and junior Lana Diehl spoke about her first experience with the bowling team.
“I first joined the bowling team my freshman year mainly because I wanted to try a new sport and I thought bowling was interesting,” she said. “I have always liked bowling, but joining the team was not something I’ve always wanted to do, but I ended up enjoying it a lot.”
Coach Nicole Wells looks for some things when choosing the members of the team.
“We look for bowlers that want to invest in bowling and grow their skills, improving through the season,” she said. “The atmosphere within the teams is positive and the players are supportive of their teammates,”
The bowling team has made a lot of great memories for its members throughout their high school years. Senior Cole Hapstak talked about how the team’s wins are very exhilarating.
“Memorable moments include placing well in tournaments, individual high scores, and team bonding activities,” he said. “Big wins and the excitement of qualifying for the higher-level tournaments are always highlights.” Hapstak also spoke about the social activities that come with the team.
“We sometimes go out for dinner after a win or hang out after matches to celebrate,” he said. “Team bonding activities help us build friendships and relieve the stress that some matches can bring.”
The bowling team practices multiple times a week at Park Centre Lanes. Sophomore Aiden Chetto believes the team is very positive when moving past the losses and focuses on winning the very next match.
“The team usually accepts the loss and looks forward to the next match/tournament,” he said.
Hoover offers a boys junior varsity team as well as a varsity, the same goes with the girls. Each team consists of around six to eight people who have different roles.
The bowling team has games relatively often, competing once or twice a week “with matches against local schools and tournaments throughout the schedule,” Hapstak said.
On the team, roles can change year-to-year, as Diehl’s has changed over the years.
“My role is to try and keep everyone upbeat and to not focus too much on their scores but to try and still have fun,” Diehl said.
The Hoover bowling team has a history of winning.
“The team’s history of success is pretty good; last year the Hoover bowling team went undefeated,” Chetto said.
The bowling team teaches new skills, builds new friendships and so much more.
“I would say the best part about being on the team is that it gives us a good competitiveness among the team that keeps wanting to grow and get better,” Diehl said. “The best is also practice because yes we are working on getting better for games but we also get to joke and have fun together. “
Everything can get stressful at times but the bowling team does everything in their power to minimize it.
“The vibe is normally excited and trying to make sure no one is nervous and trying to get everyone excited,” Diehl said. “We have two rituals that we do, one is us all wearing fun socks that we show off. The other one is that we do team stretches together to try and keep everyone relaxed.”
The team is very welcoming and encourages others to join.
“Bowling is a fun sport that anyone can enjoy, regardless of experience level,” Hapstak said. “Our team is supportive, and it’s a great way to be a part of a community and learn new skills.
