ECHO

Bowling coach reflects on first season in KHSAA

Friday, April 27, 2012 By Robert Peters, Staff Reporter

Bowling head coach Joe Fowler reflected on this team’s first season as a member of the Kentucky High School Athletics Association. Before it was a KHSAA sport, bowling was a club sport. As a club sport participant, Trinity won four state championships in 10 years. No other men's bowling team won more than one. Trinity also sent 10 members over the years on to bowling college scholarships. Just like every previous season, Trinity performed well, compiling a 14-1 season record. “Overall it was a very good season,” Fowler said. Despite having one of their best regular seasons, the Rocks fell to Manual in the state quarterfinals. Senior Chase Donohue earned his way into the individual state tournament. Over three games, he shot a 781, winning the region and averaging 260. “It's just an absolutely ridiculous score,” teammate Grant Steier said. The first-ever KHSAA bowling state tournament was held at Executive Strike and Spare near the Fairgrounds Mar. 23. Crowds filled up the walking areas, making it nearly shoulder to shoulder in the alley. “Bowlers, you may begin,” one of the announcers said. The sound of pins being knocked over began. The majority of the lanes were completely filled, with crowds behind each one supporting their team. As soon as somebody got a strike, cheers filled the room. The Trinity varsity team supported Donohue. The tournament worked in a bracket format, with 32 teams competing in the first round. Each bowler completed three games, and those with the highest scores advanced. Donohue had a respectable 566 but did not advance. “We have our good days and we have our off days, just like with any sport,” Steier said. The Rocks were proud of their season. They won four out of eight tournaments they appeared in and set school records as well. Senior Mike Gesler bowled a 300 in one of the tournaments, Trinity's first-ever 300. Though the Rocks are losing a good number of seniors and will have to rebuild, Fowler is optimistic. Sophomore Conor Minogue improved by 65 pins over his freshman year, which earned him the teams Most Improved Bowler. “Going up by 65 pins is a huge step, very impressive,” Fowler said. “Were losing a lot of seniors, so it will be hard to rebuild. But we have some new talent coming in next year.”