Capital District Times

Congratulations to the bowling team for winning their final match of the regular season last night against Hoosic Valley. BNL had commanding leads and wins for games one and two before losing game three by a slim margin of 12 pins. 

The first two wins were high enough to keep BNL in the lead for total points, which ultimately sealed the match victory 4-1 BNL. Logan Dunlop celebrated senior night by leading the team with a 513 series, starting the day with an impressive 208 for game one. 

Eighth grade Noah Bonesteel was next with a consistent series that saw improvement each game; 132, 141, 156 for a 429. Freshman Logan Horton had a high of 172 for a 414 series and our other senior, Alex Reinhart had a high game of 162 for a 400 series. Lilley DeClair had an impressive day on JV, rolling her new personal best of 160 in game two. 

Gabe Florada was just behind her on JV that game as well, with a strong 156. 

The win brought the bowlers’ individual game record to 19 and 41, with a 5 of 12 match wins. Great bowling all season! – Coach Marbot

Coach Marbot’s Senior Night Speech

Thank you all for attending our match today and staying for our senior night celebration. Before I speak about our two seniors, I have a few thank yous to acknowledge. First, I’d like to thank Jack and Linda Fitzsimmons for all they’ve done for our program. They open their doors to us and are incredibly flexible and supportive. We would not be here today without them. 

I’d also like to thank Tom Mongeon in the pro shop for drilling equipment for our bowlers. As the bowlers grow and progress even more, as their equipment needs become more advanced, Tom and Jack are both great resources that we are lucky to have. Our transportation department also deserves a thank you, for not only bringing us to matches and tournaments, but to practices as well. And a shout out to Candy Hudson in the main office for always helping to coordinate our transportation and needs in general. 

Rachel Turetsky also deserves a special thank you for being our “paparrazzi” all year. She has a keen eye for details and capturing our memories. The photos she takes are beautiful and I know the bowlers, families, and myself are incredibly grateful for that. Next comes the parents and all friends and family who have supported the bowlers throughout this season. I know transportation is a big commitment for this sport and your efforts are appreciated and not unnoticed. The last thank you is to the team in general. 

Thank you all for your willingness to work and learn. This has been one of the most eager and receptive teams, especially when it comes to drills, and all of your bowling improvements are proof of how hard you work. Thank you for that effort and for making my job as your coach something that I absolutely love and look forward to. And now, for the seniors… I’m going to start with our guy who always represents us on 3 & 4 for home matches. Someone who gave the team a go his freshman year, the very first year of the team. 

Someone who has grown tremendously since. Alex Reinhart is an incredibly hard working individual who pushes himself for his best. Alex first joined the team and, quite frankly, looked like he was going to fall over every. single. shot. He finished his first year averaging a 75 and his second year he was able to improve to a 91. I knew that Alex wanted more for himself though, and his junior year highlighted his determination to improve. 

Alex worked incredibly hard in practices and even took a few private lessons from a local coach unaffiliated with the school. His hard work in the offseason helped propel him to Varsity for his junior year, and he is finishing this season with a 145 match average. 

I appreciate all that Alex has done to better himself and his game over the years, and I wish him all the best in life and his bowling career. I already know he has plans to join an adult league after graduation, so I know we’ll still be able to find him here at the alley! 

Thank you Alex, for everything. It has been wonderful to have you on the team these past four years. 

And now, on to our other senior. Our anchorman on lanes 5 & 6 for home matches. Someone who has also been with us since his freshman year, and who has made leaps and bounds within his game every year since. Logan Dunlop  is a role model on the team whose mental game and drive are standards for the younger bowlers to look up to. When Logan first joined the team he threw a very inconsistent backup ball that proved to be a stubborn habit to break. He did not shy away from the challenge though and eventually saw improvements. 

His freshman year he finished the season with a 98, but managed to jump it to a 133 by the end of his sophomore season. Junior year he was still in the 130s, but senior year is when he really broke out into the spotlight. Logan is finishing this season with a 184 competition average and the 4th high individual game for the entire league, with a 269. 

We all know the level of competition in our league is high, with some very talented competitors. For Logan to earn that honor, outperforming bowlers who have been on the lanes years longer than he has, is an incredible feat and I am so, so proud. I know I will miss having him on the team next year, and so will all of our younger bowlers who he has taken under his wing. 

Logan is the person that so many of our bowlers go to for bowling advice and tips on their game. We know his presence will be missed, but we have a bright future ahead as younger bowlers grow and fill his footsteps. 

Thank you for everything, and good luck with all your future endeavors, Logan. Keep bowling!

Original source can be found here.