MHS girls enjoying good start

By: James McKeever
   Young and inexperienced, the Monroe High School girls bowling team was forced to take its lumps last season.
   The on-the-job training resulted in a season that closed with a 7-19-1 record. But something positive came out of that season: The Falcons learned from the experience.
   They learned what it was like to play in a rugged Greater Middlesex Conference that produces some of the top teams in the state every year. They learned what kind of intensity it takes to compete in tournaments.
   This season the lessons are paying off. Prior to Thursday’s tri-match against J.F. Kennedy and Piscataway, Monroe owned a 6-4-2 record. Not bad for a team that only tasted victory seven times last season.
   "They are much improved," said George Packard, who started the Falcons’ bowling program in 1996. "They’ve been reasonably steady and have gained a lot of confidence. They grew from last year’s experience."
   Take last Saturday’s Joe Romer Invitational for instance. The tournament, open to all GMC teams, attracted a total of 17 squads. Last year’s Monroe team probably would have finished near the bottom. This year, the Falcons finished sixth, with a total pinfall of 2,287.
   Earlier this week the Falcons picked up two victories in three matches. In Monday’s tri-match they defeated Cardinal McCarrick 4-0 while losing to East Brunswick 3-1.
   Monroe knocked down 2,260 pins with games of 718-803-739. Nicole Chasan produced the team’s best score with a 483. Val Michaud followed with a 470 and Shannon Weber rolled a 467.
   On Tuesday the Falcons swept North Brunswick, 4-0, rolling a 2,263 set (747-759-757). Weber’s 499 led the way and Noelle Trinkler recorded a 453. Jen Matikonis rolled a 447.
   "We’ve been bowling in the mid-22’s (2,200) but I’d like to see us come up to the 23 level more consistently," Packard said. "We’d get a few more wins that way."
   The boys team, also coached by Packard, has been struggling of late. The team entered Thursday’s tri-match with J.F. Kennedy and Piscataway on a five-match losing streak, dropping the Falcons’ record to 5-6-1.
   In last Saturday’s Joe Romer Invitational, Monroe finished fifth in a 17-team field after rolling a 2,677. One of the highlights for the Falcons was junior Greg Puleio, whose 635 set was the third highest in the tournament.
   In Monday’s tri-match, the Falcons produced a 2,696 set while losing to East Brunswick 4-0 and Cardinal McCarrick 3-1. Nick Zirkel fired a pair of 201 games in a 600 set while Puleio rolled a 561 (226 high game).
   Monroe pushed its score to 2,934 on Tuesday, which started with a 1,070 game. North Brunswick, however, recorded a 3,012 in a 3-1 victory over the Falcons.
   Puleio caught fire for a 265-213-235-713 performance. Mike Leatherwood had a 214 game in his 560 set and Shawon Danser record 216 and 202 games in a 547. Dan Seyfried rolled a 538.
   Puleio has his average up to 210 as he continues to show he’s one of the best bowlers in the GMC.
   "We expected Greg to have a big season and he’s bowling very well," Packard said. "He’s always striving for perfection."
   With GMC bowling teams taking a break for the holidays, both Monroe teams won’t return to action until Jan. 3.