Mott Bowling Week 6 Recap

By: Coach Jerry Tarabek
January 14, 2003

Warren Mott Struggles to Victory

This past Friday the Warren Mott Marauder Bowling team rolled into Kingswood Lanes for the start of the second half of the meet schedule. Having had a good deal of success in the first half, we were looking forward to this first meet of the New Year. However, this meet gave us some reason for concern. Our once solid outlook on bowling life had a curve thrown into it as all the teams seemed to struggle a bit more that we had anticipated.

The varsity boys' team came into the meet undefeated and looking for their sixth win in a row at the expense of the Titans from Warren Woods Tower. Being this is the second time we faced this young team, we did not anticipate any surprises. Paced by captain Jon "Smokey" Kennedy (222-204) and Junior Brian Lake (239) the boys out pointed Tower 28-2. Starting stronger has been one thing we needed to work on and this week's baker scores proved we could do just that. Shooting two, two hundred games (216-206) for only the second time this season, the Marauders quickly took control of the match and moved on to what they do best, match play. Individual match point leaders Justin "Danger" Neiman (11-1), Chris "Shaggy" Lepkowski (10-1), Paul "Lefty" Narlock (9-1) and Jon Kennedy (8-4) all continued to improve their records and stay atop the point leader board. Justin Neiman, although struggling this week, maintains his league leading average of 219 with Brian Lake (204), Chris Lepkowski (203), Jon Kennedy (203) and Paul Narlock (201) also are averaging over 200 for the season. The Varsity Boys also still hold the high scores shot this season in the state of Michigan for match play game (1185), match play series (2325) and baker team series (482). The boys next meet archrival Sterling Heights, who is in second place, this Wednesday at Universal Lanes.

The Varsity girls' team had a small shake up this week as Veronica Wineski moved up from Junior Varsity for the first time. Since Kingswood Lanes is a bit of a drive, we had some timing issues with bowlers getting to the meet on time, which gave Veronica a well-deserved opportunity. Veronica did not disappoint anyone by rolling a 148 game right out of the gate and winning her first Varsity point of the season. The Lady Marauders maintained their grip on first place by posting their sixth straight win 21-9 over Warren Woods Tower to remain undefeated and a top the standings again this week. Lindsay "Twin Lefty" Felix continued to bowl well and win her 10th point of the season by rolling 169. Twin sister Kim "Twin Righty" Felix also continued her solid performance by shooting 151 and 161 to win both of her match points and improve her record to 10-1-1. Jessica "Wild Thing" Tyler improved to 8-3-1 with a 158 game while captain Nikki "Smiley" Wilczek shot a 156 and won two points to improve to 8-4 for the season. As a team the ladies are still in the top ten statewide for team game (186) and series (349) in bakers and team match play game (887) scores but need to get more consistency when it comes time for the regional and state competitions. The ladies also next face Sterling Height in a rematch of one of the toughest weeks they have had this season.

The Boys Junior Varsity team won again this week as well to run their record to 5-1/2 and ½ and in first place in their division. Facing Macomb Dakota for the third time this season, the boys were up to the challenge as they banged out a 10-0 lead after the baker games. Then, in team match play, they showed their muscle as they took eight of the first nine points to put away the win 19-11. Junior Varsity point's leader Keven Beasley remained undefeated in match play winning for the eighth straight time by shooting 178. Keven is the only undefeated bowler in the Junior Varsity this season. Captain Jeff Peltier also bowled well shooting 192 and winning for the seventh time this season. Junior Kris Smith shot 181, Sophomore Mike Kusmierz shot 178 and 170 and Senior Darryl Sage rolled a 175 to help round out the team effort in the win. The boy's also have top billing in the state this season with the top baker series (448) and second best baker game (234). They also rank in the top ten in team games (9th -926) and in team series (8th - 1782). The boys next bowl the Lady Marauders at Universal Lanes this week. This will be interesting.

Speaking of the Lady Marauders, they are continuing to improve each week. This past week they ran across a determined Sterling Heights Boys JV team that was not going to loose to the girls. With a valiant effort the girls bowled head to head but came out on the short end of the point total for the fourth time in six tries, 13-17. The girls did have some good scores as Junior Erika Wagner won both of her match points to improve to 7-4 and is the only girl in the top five for individual points in the Junior Varsity division. Jessica Biernacki also won an individual point by rolling a 160 her first game and improving her record to 4-6-1. Season best scores were shot by Senior Jessica Hendrix (140) and Lauren Bascilico (123 game / 238 series), while Nicole Griebe bowled junior varsity for the first time and shot well with 149 and 150 games. The girls are at 2-4 and stand in 7th place in the division; they next bowl the Warren Mott Boys JV team who leads the division.

The team fundraiser is coming up soon. A moonlight no-tap event is on the schedule for Saturday, February 22, 2003. The starting time will be 9:00PM with check in beginning at 8:00PM. Please see the Warren Mott Boosters web site for all the information. Ask anyone who was there last season and they will probably tell you about the great time they had. Get your reservations in early to insure a spot. Reservations can be made by calling Coach Tarabek at 586-264-0432. Look forward to seeing some of you at Universal Lanes this Wednesday and at the fundraiser.

Jerry Tarabek / Head Bowling Coach