The 2021-2022 girls bowling team has done extremely well this year. They placed sixth in Sectionals and won many awards and medals during tournaments, not only for the team but for individual bowlers.

Not only has the team done well on the lanes, but they have also done extremely well bonding with one another. They have a very close and open team.

“I would say that this is our best season that we’ve had probably in the last five years. Part of it is having a group of freshmen that came in four years ago and have continued to bowl and have started to work on lessons and whatever else, and so over the last four years, they’ve just continued to improve. And so our varsity team is well established, and then we also had a whole new group of kids coming in that have picked it up very well, and so our JV team is super strong too. So although we’re going to lose nine seniors, we’re going to have some kids that are going to be able to step in and step up,” said head coach Laura Bertermann.

Many seniors are handing over the rains to the lower classmen.

“I’m really sad. This has been my life for four years, and it’s ending. I mean it’s being taken over by great people. I know the team for the next two years is going to be amazing, but I know I’m going to miss it. It’s like a part of me that’s leaving forever,” said senior Cheryl Jenkins.

The girls bowling team shared many great times. They made it a habit of cheering each other on throughout the entire season and always supported their teammates.

“I think it really boils down to personalities. Everyone is very, very similar personality-wise, but at the same time we’re also very different and we’re also extremely respectful of each other and those differences. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but we just have such a really great group of girls this year. We do it every year, but there’s something about this year. Maybe because in years past the girls have known each other a little bit, but because we have so many new people, maybe that’s why we realize that the comradery is so strong this year. But I dont know. There’s something in the water this year that seems to be bringing everybody together, which as a coach you could not ask for a better team situation, and I think truly that’s a reason why we bowl so well,” said assistant coach Colleen Vandermeulen.

Many girls who joined the team this year enjoyed it and plan on coming back next season.

“I wasn’t sure at first, and I just thought why not do it because it’s a winter sport and it seemed really fun, but once I came and everyone was so welcoming, I knew I had to stay,” said sophomore Lola Brama.

“I can say I’ve definitely improved in bowling, and I can take away a lot of new friends that I’ve made and new relationships,” Brama said.

The team thrives itself on being inclusive and all-around inviting.

“I think I’ve gotten progressively crazier. This team just allows you to be who you are no matter how incredible strange that person is, so I have found the insane part of myself, but in the best way because I’ve also found really good leadership styles, but it’s just helped me realize that it’s okay for me too just shout out things sometimes,” Jenkins said.

If any students are on the fence about joining bowling, just do it. The girls say the team is an incredibly open and accepting place, and there’s room for everyone.