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Hawks Bowlers Have Strong Second Week, Tough Matches Tuesday

Manchester bowlers will face rival Brick Memorial on Tuesday afternoon

Two weeks into their seasons, both the boys and girls bowling teams are sitting at the top of the standings. 

The boys team leads Brick Memorial for the top Shore Conference A South spot, while the girls team trails Brick Township by one game for the lead. Both teams have critical matchups Tuesday afternoon when they face Brick Township.

Looking back on last week, the Hawks boys team performed "up to our expected potential" swept Toms River South on Dec. 6, said coach Bryan Vargas. Of the senior bowlers, Ryan Kenny shot a 664, Alan Garcia rolled the day's high game of 259 and posted a 646 series and Christian Robinson came in with a 634 series.

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"Toms River South always gives us problems, but today, we didn't have any we couldn't overcome," Vargas said. 

Two days later, the team took on Toms River North, a team that Vargas said "can keep up with us when we get hot."

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The Hawks won the first game, scoring a 1,045, but Vargas said that he knew North is a formidable opponent.

"In our usual talks between games, I reminded the boys that this is a team that, even though we won, can shoot an 1,100 if they are all on," he said.

North went on to win the second game by a three-pin margin, 1,088 to 1,085, even as senior Marc Stutler contributed a high game of 267.

Vargas said that his team had trouble adjusting to the lanes as they dried during the third game, and the Hawks were defeated 1,113 to 975.

To finish out last week's regular matches, Manchester took on Lakewood on Dec. 9 and the coach said that his team was "firing on all cylinders."

"With games of 1,109, 1,047, and 1,075, we showed exactly what we're capable of game in and game out," Vargas said. Robinson posted the league high series of 720 by rolling three clean games and junior Dezmyn Edmond contributed a 666 series.

"We need to keep this momentum going against Brick Township," who the Hawks face at Ocean Lanes on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m., Vargas said. 

On Saturday, the Hawks hosted the South Jersey Singles Classic, which Garcia won last year. Though Garcia only made it as far as the semifinals this time around, Manchester was represented by senior Ryan Kenny who made it to the championship round by posting a 279 in the semifinals. Kenny ultimately was defeated by Keansburg bowler Dale Barshewski for the top spot. 

Of the 68 boys bowlers competing, six Hawks bowlers made the playoff round by finishing in the top 24. In addition to Garcia and Kenny, Edmond, Robinson, Alex Simsen, Dan Piskowski and Shawn Wernoch made that cut before being defeated in playoff rounds.

With the girls team sweeping all of their opponents last week — they also faced Toms River South, Toms River North and Lakewood — coach Mike McCrae said that his "Lady Hawks continue to look strong."

"Freshman newcomers Stephanie Tremper and Kaitlyn Kettmann are making rapid advances, and will definitely add to the future of the Hawks," McCrae said.

With some varsity starters missing last week, they were given the chance to shine.

"Both made it past the first cut at this past weekend's South Jersey Singles Classic at Ocean Lanes," McCrae said.

Junior Tina Shahinian and seniors Olivia Osterberg and Julie Taylor made it to the quarterfinal round, posting 198, 191 and 203 averages, respectively. 

Another highlight was junior Nicole Hodges, who McCrae said showed "some of her competitive talents" as she scored games of 199, 213 and 225 in separate matches throughout last week.

Tuesday's action against Brick Township is one to watch, McCrae said, as that township's other high school is within striking distance to climb up the standings.

"The match will be crucial for both teams as the Brick Memorial Mustangs are only one point behind at 9-3," he said. 


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