Boys bowling: Hen Hud paces the field for 3-peat; North Rockland wins large-school title
FISHKILL - It was little more than a neat thing noticed in passing, Hendrick Hudson leading the entire field midway through the Section 1 boys bowling tournament. Glancing at the stats then, players said, offered them a confidence boost and some tangible affirmation of just how well they were doing.
But, they assumed, it merely was a hot start for them, and the standings would look different once those large-school powerhouses got rolling — so to speak.
“We didn’t really think about it during the second half,” senior Tyler Muranaka said. “I don’t know if it’s ever happened. We were just focused on winning our division and weren’t thinking that big.”
But the Sailors did it big Wednesday, cruising to a third straight small-school championship while outperforming all the teams in larger classifications for what was a “memorable” afternoon at Fishkill Bowl.
A year ago: John Jay-East Fishkill boys roll to Section 1 title; Hen Hud repeats
Photos: North Rockland and Nanuet girls bowling win Section 1 titles
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Hen Hud toppled 6,153 pins in the six-game series and led the field throughout the second half. They finished well ahead of Pearl River (5,270) in their own bracket, but eyebrows raised at the Sailors being 41 pins better than even large-school champion North Rockland.
“That’s awesome, and it’s definitely meaningful,” said Muranaka, who bowled a tournament-best 1,413 series that included a 268 in the second game. “Seeing how well we were doing, especially going into the last game, it gave us an additional goal and kept us focused on every shot.”
The Sailors advance to the state tournament on March 8 at Strike N’ Spare Lanes in Syracuse, competing for the Division II championship.
“We’ll put in the work in the coming weeks and our confidence is high right now,” said Muranaka, whose team placed eighth in states last winter. “I know how good our guys are and how well we can do.”
Teammate William Moretti shot a 1,304 series, including two games of 255, and was sixth best in the tournament. Ethan Bromley had a 1,246 and Mark Libonati rolled a 1,215.
Pearl River’s Gabe Figueroa bowled a 1,186 and James Woodward a 1,159.
Former coach Mike Iseman helped establish the foundation, and the Sailors have flourished this season with first-year coach Kris Abel. She is a longtime bowler whom Muranaka credits with offering the group helpful insights.
To put Wednesday's performance into perspective: Hen Hud dropped 5,854 pins to win the title last season, which was more than a 400-pin improvement over their winning total from the year before. What that suggests, of course, is the Sailors are quietly building a dynasty.
“It’s great to see all the hard working paying off,” said Muranaka, who joined the varsity team as a sophomore. “I’ve seen some of these guys come from not being so good to getting to the level where we are now. That kind of improvement is amazing.”
North Rockland's rebound
The difference this time, John Bender said, was the Raiders went into the competition believing they could lose.
“I think we came in too confident, like we thought it would be easy,” the freshman said of his team failing to defend its sectional title last season. “Losing it made us more focused and motivated.”
As did its status as a modest underdog. But a humbled North Rockland reclaimed its crown Wednesday, totaling 6,112 pins to win a second Section 1 championship in three years. The Raiders built an early lead, then did enough to stave off a late surge from rival Clarkstown (6,084).
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Bender said. “We’ve experienced the success, then falling short. But we showed up here with doubts and crushed it.”
Bender rolled a 1,365 series, including a tournament-best 278 in Game 2. Teammate Mikael Najarro was on his heels with a 1,358, and Jaiden Brown added a 1,147.
The Raiders will compete for the Division I championship in the state tournament on March 10 at Strike N’ Spare Lanes in Syracuse. They’ll be joined there by the North Rockland girls team, who won a 19th straight section title on Monday.
“I expect big things,” Bender said of states. “When I went in seventh grade, it was extremely fun and we bonded. I hope it’s the same this time, and we’re gonna do our best to win the whole thing.”
Clarkstown's Matthew Evans bowled a 1,410 and Joshua Czaikowski a 1,223. Arlington shined throughout the regular season with a trio of high-scoring standouts and were favored in this tournament, but finished third (5,819).
“There’s some disappointment for sure, but I’m confident we’ll be back next year,” said Cassidy, a sophomore who shot a 1,308.
John Jay-East Fishkill returned with a young group after winning the title last season and placed fourth with 5,695 pins.
“We didn’t expect to do as well this year,” Raiders coach Joan Nelson admitted. “We came up short last year and graduated two very strong seniors. But these guys really stepped up and I couldn’t be happier with how they performed.”
Here's to a Pioneer
Kyle Duncan made history, becoming the first Poughkeepsie bowler to qualify for the sectional tournament. That was an honor, he said, representing a school whose bowling program is looking to gain its footing.
The sophomore quickly made history again Wednesday, becoming the first Pioneer to advance to the state tournament. Duncan, competing independently in the tournament, rolled a 1,266 series and earned a spot on the Section 1 composite team.
“It’s awesome knowing I’m the first person in my school to do this, and it’s a blessing,” said Duncan, who was influenced by his grandpa and began bowling as a 4-year-old. “I hope it sends a message to my (schoolmates) that our bowling team is still around, and we can be successful.”
He is close friends with Arlington’s Ryan Lashlee, who also will be making travel plans to Syracuse for the first time. They’re among a collection of standouts who’ll compete on March 9 against the other sectional all-star teams.
“I’ve known him since he was this little,” Lashlee said, holding his hand to his waist. “To watch him grow up and do this is incredible, and both of us getting to states is a dream.”
Lashlee also will be joined by Arlington teammate Braden Cassidy along with John Jay-East Fishkill’s Jayden Conto, Matthew Evans of Clarkstown and Lakeland’s Austin Kara.
“It’s a different feeling because last year, I got to do it with all my teammates,” said Conto, who helped the Patriots win the Section 1 title last season. He bowled a 1,284 series Wednesday and his brother, Peyton, shot a 270 in Game 5. “This is a great group of guys, so I know it’ll be fun.”
Four of the six spots were taken by Dutchess County bowlers, who insisted there’ll be no internal competition. “We’re already friends, so we’re just pulling for each other,” said Cassidy, who led the section with a 221 average. “The rivalries don’t matter now as teammates.”
He, Lashlee and Kara qualified via season average, and Duncan, Conto and Evans secured berths with their tournament performances.
Lashlee is a breakthrough star as a senior, improving his average by 40 pins to 217 this season. He switched to a urethane ball which, he said, offered better control, and his confidence soared with the results.
“To see the improvement and to make it here with some of my best friends, it means the world to me,” he said. “The weekend in Syracuse is gonna be great. It’s a blessing to end my career on this kind of high note.”
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Boys bowling: Hen Hud wins third straight title, North Rockland rises
