Let’s Go Bowling: Newton begins sanctioned high school bowling

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High school bowling arrived in Iowa and Newton in 2000. It has existed as a “club sport” through the High School Bowling Federation, which was created by the Iowa Bowling Proprietor’s Association. In 2006, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union began to sanction bowling and in 2009 the Iowa High School Athletic Association will also. This past spring, the Newton school board voted to add bowling to their list of activities with the overwhelming justification that a high percentage of the kids involved in bowling, do not participate in other activities. For whatever reason, bowling reaches out to a new set of student athletes and a new era of bowling is under way. The Newton Cardinal bowlers have performed well over the last two seasons on the lanes with back-to-back Little Hawkeye Conference championships for both the girls and boys squads. Head coach Seth Banwell and assistant coach P.J. Quinn have inherited a talented group of kids. Banwell has been a bowler since a young age, but coaching bowlers is fairly new for him. “I spent a weekend at the USBC Bronze Coaching Clinic and learned a lot from that experience,” Banwell said. It is one thing to understand my own bowling skills, but to help others improve when each individual has different styles can be a challenge. I’m very pleased with the Newton Community School District and the school board for creating this opportunity for students. Cardinal Lanes plays an instrumental part in the success of the program. Bev and Jeff Van Blair allow us to practice for free, have donated shoes, balls and equipment needed to help the athletes reach their full potential. The girls squad will be le0d by a returning two-year starter and two-time Lee Troen Memorial Award winner in junior Brandi Collins. After averaging 160 in meets last year and winning back-to-back conference championships, Collins is excited for the next level of competition. “The last two years we were unable to compete in district or state competition because we were not a sanctioned sport,” Collins said. “It was disappointing to miss out on that with such good teams that had a chance to compete for a state title. But now we’re on board with the school and it’s exciting to know we have a chance to compete this season.” Although the girls lost its high average bowler from a year ago in Gina Lester, four girls return with varsity experience. And a new face has emerged in freshman Shelby Bare, who rolled a 221 in practice this week. The girls should have a good chance to go for a three-peat in the LHC. The boys squad will be looking for a new leader to emerge after losing Adam Hackathorn, the LHC Player of the Year. Senior Joe Jackson appears to be the guy to step up after carrying a 194 average last bowling season. “I’ve been in bowling league since I was 4 years old and it’s been awesome being able to compete with the high school program the last three years,” Jackson said. “We only lost one conference match the last two seasons and that’s going to be hard to match, but I think we have a chance to compete for the conference title again this year.” The rest of the varsity lineup should consist of Cory Keller, Mikey Geerlings, Jeremy Jones and Brandon Keller. The Cardinals will hit the lanes for the first time on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Waterloo’s Maple Lanes for a co-ed combo meet and then will host a co-ed meet at Cardinal Lanes in Newton on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.