March 15, 2026
By Bruce Bartlett
Staff Writer
The bowling team’s final pins of the season fell on Feb. 10 at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood after a 0-2 loss in the first round of the Section 2, Group 2 New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament.
The team ended its regular season on Feb. 9, winning 7-0 against Wood-Ridge High School to secure a 13-7 record for the season.
Head Coach Offitto said he attributes the team’s success to the vast improvements of their four new bowlers.
“A couple [of] bowlers that were struggling to get to 100 at the beginning of the season were shooting in the 160s and 170s later on in the season,” Offitto said.
Despite the team’s winning record, Offitto said there is room for improvement next season.
“We didn’t meet all the goals that we set out [to accomplish by] the middle of the [season], and the kids know that. So next year, we’re looking to improve and get to those goals,” Offitto said.
He said bowling is unique because it has more downtime than many other sports.
“[The athletes will] bowl twice for their turn, and then they may not bowl again for another 10 minutes, so making sure that they’re into the match, cheering on their teammates, is something that was an adjustment at first,” Offitto said.
He said, ultimately, the bowlers all rooted for each other, got along well and lifted each other’s spirits.
“We were especially good at picking each other up when we had bad days, not letting anyone get too down [and] not letting them get into that mindset where they feel like they can’t be successful,” Offitto said.
Senior bowler Charles Benjamin, who joined varsity this year, said he credits the team’s success to Offitto’s ability to keep the bowlers motivated throughout their matches.
“[Coach] Offitto makes sure to compliment us after we get a strike or a spare, which improves the team’s morale and mentality,” Benjamin said.
Like Offitto, Benjamin said he was heartened by the team’s young talent.
“The thing that surprised me most was how the newer bowlers improved [their scores] since the [beginning] of the season,” Benjamin said.
Sophomore Jesus Benitez, who joined the team last year, said he feels many emotions as he releases the ball down the lane.
“We didn’t meet all the goals that we set out [to accomplish by] the middle of the [season], and the kids know that. So next year, we’re looking to improve and get to those goals.”
“[I am] nervous about how I’m going to do, and sometimes anger if I’m doing poorly. But most of the time, I try to just focus on finding the mark where I want my ball to go to make sure it hits the pins correctly,” Benitez said.
He said, following the loss of last year’s graduating seniors — Jayden Peterson, Mark Rigano and Patrick O’Rourke — he is happy that the team rebuilt itself.
“We have more spirit [this season], which is definitely a bonus, as well as more younger people playing, which means the sport will continue in high school,” said Benitez.
