The records don’t reflect it, perhaps, but the South River High School boys’ (3-13-3) and girls’ (2-18) bowling teams showed improvement this winter.
"I think the boys are going to make dramatic progress over the next year or so, and the girls are working very hard," said Coach Ron Opaleski. "They’re a great bunch of kids."
Leading the way for the boys was sophomore John Aguila, who ended the campaign with a 192 average, tossed four 600 series and qualified for the states. Junior Bill Weaver, meanwhile, came to the team late because of his involvement with the state champion football squad, but he started with a big bang: a 675 series. That was his high point, but Weaver still ended up with a fine 185 average.
Senior Mike Huneke finished up in the high 160s, while another 12th-grader, Scott Lichtenberger, helped out as a swing bowler between the varsity and JV clubs. Senior Michael Cox, also in the upper 160s, finished his high school career with a sense of satisfaction, conquering a chronic difficulty in picking up the 10-pin.
Rounding out the team were sophomore Bobby Gilbert, freshman; Steve Swiderski who had a 199 high game in his first year on the lanes; and another sophomore, Matt Zdzarski, who was bowling in the 150s at the end of his first campaign as a competitive bowler.
On the female side, several seniors will be missed: captain Kim Harris, Amanda Toye, Julie Ferreira, Roseanne Nervegna, Terry Markowitz, and Angela Bongiovi. Leading the team in average at 148 was freshman Holly Rhatigan, while another frosh, Kristy Bocian was in the 130s.
The rest of the squad consisted of sophomore Megan Messaro, and juniors Jackie Cavone and Nicole Bloodgood.
"We should have a good nucleus coming back next year," Opaleski said.