By: James McKeever
The Monroe Township High School boys bowling team searched all season long for consistent team play last year, and it showed in the Falcons’ final record of 11-13-1.
With several returning starters, the Falcons are looking to hurdle past the .500 mark this upcoming season, which starts Saturday with an appearance in the Bishop Ahr Tournament.
Monroe has talent, but coach George Packard has one major concern: depth.
"We’re solid with four returners and it looks we have a freshman for the fifth spot. But we’re searching for somebody to emerge for that sixth spot," Packard said earlier this week.
The good news is that Gregg Puleio is healthy and primed for a big senior season, his fourth with the varsity. Last winter Puleio’s season ended midway through the campaign due to a puzzling virus that left his legs weak and forced him to make several trips to the hospital.
He missed the GMC and NJSIAA sectional tournaments but still was named to the GMC All-White Division team with a 207 average. When healthy, Puleio is one of the best bowlers in the GMC. After all, he did roll a perfect game as a freshman.
"We’re hoping for a big season from Gregg," Packard said.
Danny Seyfried and Derrek Witt are two other seniors who return. Seyfried will bowl with the varsity for the third consecutive season and Witt for his second straight.
A full season from Shawon Danser should be another plus for the Falcons. As a freshman last winter Danser came on strong at the end of the season and placed fifth in the Central Jersey sectional to qualify for the individual state finals. In the finals Danser started off hot, but cooled off in his third game and finished 23rd, seven pins short of advancing to the second round.
The fifth spot looks like it will be filled by freshman Nick Chen. Packard said five other bowlers were pushing for the sixth spot in the lineup.
"The solid nucleus is there but after that it drops off," the coach said. "We lack quality depth this year. We really don’t have a seventh or eighth to go to. Hopefully somebody will emerge. You need depth for tournaments."
The regular-season grind starts Monday for Monroe against Colonia. On Tuesday the Falcons face Carteret, then Perth Amboy on Thursday.
Packard’s girls team will follow the same schedule. The girls team improved to 11-10-3 last season after winning a total of seven matches in 2004-05. Now the Falcons are looking to take more steps forward.
Packard welcomes back five of the Falcons’ six regulars who finished up last season. Four are seniors.
"We’re hoping these five girls step up again this year," Packard said.
Shannon Weber is back after leading the team with a 167 average. Nicole Chasan averaged 155 a year ago. Those two served as team leaders.
Seniors Nicole Santiago and Jen Matikonis and junior Noelle Trinkler complete the first five.
"After those five we’re waiting for some other kids to step up," Packard said. "Like the boys team we’re very thin after our main kids. And we need our returning kids to keep improving if we want to reach the next level. Saturday’s tournament should be a good barometer for us."

