Cardinal teams bowl over Polar Bears

Newton High’s Cardinal bowlers — girls and boys — continue to roll along. On Monday, the Cardinal teams swept another home dual at Cardinal Lanes.

The Cardinal boys had all six bowler post series scores of 300 or more pins in a win over visiting Des Moines North’s Polar Bears. Newton’s boys overpowered North 2,791-1,800 to go 2-1 in duals this season.

Newton’s girls claimed their third dual victory in as many meets. Building almost a 400-pin lead by the end of the individual games, the Cardinal girls defeated the Polar Bear girls 2,337-1,899.

“The boys’ varsity team had another great afternoon on the lanes,” Newton head bowling coach Christie Hughes said. “It was great seeing so many high scoring games. They are really improving and keeping their pin count at a competitive level.”

Cutter Benac bowled a season-high 454 series to lead the Cardinal boys. He opened with a 212 game followed by a 242 game. Devon Young posted the top score in the first games with a 235 on his way to a 395.

Eli Ingle and Alex Frymoyer came up big in their second games as both racked up more than 200 pins. Ingle followed his opening game of 171 with a 213 to have a 384 series. Frymoyer began with a 157 then threw a 208 for a final score of 365.

Nate Keith and Carter VanderSchel were steady in their two games. Keith had a 345 with games of 172 and 173 while VanderSchel had back-to-back 160 games for a 320.

“Cutter really showed up tonight hitting strike for strike in the second game. Devon Young and Eli Ingle both had great series,” Hughes said.

The Cardinal boys commanded a 662-pin lead — 1,942-1,280 — over North going into the Baker Games. They totaled 849 pins in the combined portion of the meet to North’s 620. Newton’s Baker Games scores were 144, 187, 157, 181, 180.

Leading by 374 pins after the individual games, the Cardinal girls didn’t let up in the Baker Games. They chalked up a 774-600 score in those five combined games on scores of 125, 148, 219, 140, 142.

“The girls varsity team pin count continues to improve with 77 more pins than they had on Saturday. They were really excited to see that 219 Baker game tonight,” Hughes said.

Tanya Hernandez led the Cardinal girls with a 344 series on games of 140 and 174. Alicia Miller rolled a 329 (152-177) and Keely Birkenholtz had a 322 (156-166).

Abby Price marked up a 290 (154-136) and Taylor Johnson had a 278 (132-146). Ashley Loehr bowled a 239 (129-110).

“We will be hosting Urbandale on Saturday,” Hughes said. “They are a tough team and it should be fun.”

Newton has its final bowling meet before Christmas break on Saturday at Cardinal Lanes. The Cardinal teams take on Urbandale starting at 9 a.m.

Newton’s junior varsities won also as North had just three girls and three boys competing in each of those divisions. The Newton girls won 1,791-965 and the boys won 2,078-885.

Another junior varsity match was played between a Newton boys’ group and a Newton girls’ group.

“Ben Zeien on the junior varsity team also had a great series,” Hughes said. “It is great to see so many of the bowlers improving their game and becoming more competitive.”

Newton JV boys: Ben Zeien 376 with a 202 game, Tristan Rethmeier 299, Thomas Hodnett 277, Alex Wolfe 267, Evan Benac 261, Devon Hobbs 222; Baker Games scores: 124, 121, 140, 119, 95.

Newton JV girls: Jenna Miller 664, Jillian Waits 239, Danny Lewis 219, Sydni Followill 21`9, Gabby Pickerell 217, Deborah Durant 201; Baker Games scores: 112, 103, 129, 155, 134.

Newton JV boys No. 2: Levin Jenkins 262, Blake Romberg 245, Jacob Warren 206, Dallas King 168, Alex Allspach 154; Baker Games scores: 102, 96, 82, 76, 82.

Newton JV girls No. 2: Emily Goshorn 193, Abby Hobbs 160, Shya Hartman 152, Sara Sopher 158; Baker Games scores: 64-76, 72, 116, 94.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com