Jan. 13, 2024
By Anastasia Loutroutzis
Webmaster
With the bowling team’s top player, junior Mark Rigano, out sick, senior Shane Keeler stepped up at a match against Secaucus High School at North Arlington Bowl-O-Drome on Dec. 18. Bowling a 246, Keeler led the team to a 7-0 victory.
“If we stay consistent and stay together, we can go far with winning the league title and going to the state section final,” Keeler said. “We all know what we are capable of and have shown it many times throughout the season.”
Keeler said the season is off to a great start with a record of 6-1 as of Jan. 8. Heading into 2024, the team was in third place out of 11 teams in the Meadowlands Division.
He said the team’s most memorable win so far this season was against Rutherford High School on Dec. 12 at North Arlington Bowl-O-Drome.
“We put it together and bowled outstanding[ly], setting the team total pinfall high for the league,” Keeler said.
Senior Jake Kuenzle, who has been on varsity for four years, said compared to his previous three seasons on the team, this year marks the bowlers’ strongest performance in the league.
“My favorite part of the season is probably just how good we really are,” Kuenzle said. “We look at most of these teams and know our record’s going up. It’s a great feeling.”
“It is a close-knit group, and they are determined to win the league.”
Despite the team’s success, Kuenzle said the bowlers will face tough competition on Jan. 16 when they go up against Rutherford’s St. Mary High School, which he said is one of the best teams in the league.
“We just have to come into the alley that day ready to compete and keep our confidence high,” Kuenzle said.
LHS will face off against St. Mary again on Feb. 12. Both matches will take place at North Arlington Bowl-O-Drome.
Head Coach Offitto, who has been coaching the team for six years, said the team’s four seniors–Nick Adamo, Keeler, Kuenzle and Bryan Intindola–intend to make the most of their final season.
“It is a close-knit group, and they are determined to win the league,” Offitto said.
He said in addition to winning the league, the team has the potential to compete for the county title and win the state sectional tournament.
“I want [the team] to progressively get better throughout the season,” Offitto said. “Teams are always improving, so it’s important that we do the same.”
