With a history of success, Jesuit bowling is held to a high standard. Made up of talented students and a dedicated coach, the team’s winning tradition is not surprising, but certainly is impressive.
Competing in Euless, Jesuit faced off in a regular district game against Grapevine on February t. Although ending with a close final score of 8-7, Jesuit established a comfortable lead and cruised to victory, adding momentum to their region and state ambitions.
In the bowling competitions, schools select five bowlers each to play based on their average scores, matching the bowlers according to skill level. Playing two matches which are decided by total points, a bowler can earn one point with a victory. Following this are the Baker Games, a format in which each of the five bowlers bowls two frames, meaning that each must perform well for the team’s sake.
In the individual matches, Jesuit won all but one, and lost that one by only one point. As they entered into the Baker Games, the players realized that it was only a matter of winning once, and Grapevine would be mathematically eliminated. Mrs. Kelli Mattacchione, team coach and math teacher, described them as going into the match feeling “comfortable.” This lead was ultimately quite important because it allowed them to give up the last two Baker Games in what ended as the closest game in the season.
After this game, they faced the Winston School to close out the district play.
Like much of the rest of the season, the Rangers had a decisive victory, giving up only one point in the same format as they played against Grapevine. With this victory for the third straight district championship, the undefeated team flexed its muscles going into regionals, showing all upcoming opponents that Jesuit means business.
When asked about their consistent success, Michael Case ‘ 15 explained, “You’ve gotta have a lot of practice,” and “You have to concentrate” to put together such an impressive season. After countless practices on Mondays and Fridays along with weekly training on Wednesdays, the bowlers’ undeniable success comes in large part from their hours of hard work and dedication.
With a perfect season behind them, the Ranger bowlers now hope to make it to the state championship for the first time.
Matthew Martin ’15 liked the way that the team had been doing, saying that “I think we have a very good chance at winning regionals and we hope to advance farther in state than we did last year.” With such a great regular season behind them, they feel good entering postseason play. Case shared the same sentiments, saying, “I think we’ve got a better team than last year,” and “We’ve just gotta concentrate on our game and win.”
Mrs. Mattacchione summed it up, “We are maintaining our high quality of bowling,” and now it’s just trying to make sure that “our competitors aren’t quite catching up to us,” a sign that Jesuit bowlers still need to work hard and put in the necessary time and effort. She added, “We’ve always won our district and advanced to regionals,” so now it’s only a matter of going as far as possible. Additionally, she commented, “We will probably be playing the state champions,” a matchup “that will be interesting to see.”
Despite the great success and talent of the team, Mrs. Mattacchione emphasized the role of commitment and dedication, saying, “There’s always work to be done.” Additionally, looking to the future, she explained that although “I’m never confident going into regionals…I know we can put up a good match against whatever team we play.”
Wish your bowlers luck as they finish out the season!
