By: James McKeever
When the South Brunswick High School boys bowling team arrived at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes on Dec. 18 to compete in the prestigious Joe Romer Tournament, it was a group lacking confidence.
The Vikings started off the season with a 2-6 record and were searching for some kind of spark to turn their season around. Then, out of nowhere, things started clicking at the Joe Romer Tournament, a tournament that every team in the GMC enters.
"Sometimes you never know what will turn you around," said Vikings coach Chris Hayston. "But we bowled well that day and it really boosted our confidence."
For the record, South Brunswick finished fifth in the tournament, pretty good for an event featuring as much talent as this one.
Since that day, the Vikings have put together a 3-0-2 record in match play, bringing their record up to 5-6-2 entering Wednesday’s match against Piscataway.
"The improvement has really been a team thing," Hayston said.
The Vikings’ two most consistent bowlers have been senior Rob Kohutanycz and sophomore Matt Forthun. Kohutanycz, a three-year varsity bowler, is averaging 202. Forthun, who had a very impressive freshman season, picked up right where he left off despite breaking his ankle in August. The ankle was surgically repaired and Forthun in averaging 204.
"These guys are both very consistent and very mature," Hayston said. "Robby’s game is there every day. And we knew what we would get from Matt provided his ankle was healthy. He wasn’t to have a sophomore jinx because he’s mature. He’s handled the expectations."
Billy Orchard, a senior who shares team captain honors with Kohutanycz, is a dependable third bowler who’s averaging close to 190. Adam Kinder, a junior, has solidified the No. 4 spot. Three bowlers junior Steve Cohen and freshmen Carmine Sadano and Jared Kohutanycz have made contributions to the Vikings’ turnaround.
In Monday’s tri-match, South Brunswick swept Middlesex 4-0 and tied with South Plainfield 2-2. Against South Plainfield the Vikings lost game one by eight pins and the second game by 16, but won the third game big to take total pins 2806-2678.
True to form, Forthun rolled a 645 (220, 241 games) and Rob Kohutanycz recorded a 644 (246, 210). Orchard added a 529.
"Robby and Matt are athletes in other sports, they both play baseball, and that only helps make them more competitive," Hayston said.
In the girls match on Monday, South Brunswick gained two victories to hurdle over the .500 mark with a 7-5-2 mark. The Vikings, with a 2286 series, swept Middlesex and bested South Plainfield 3-1.
Highlights included Meghan Nagle’s 542 set, with a high game of 210. Christine Kelly rolled a 467 with the help of a 203 game and Mary Lynn Olsen produced a 484.
