Monroe bowlers seek consistency

By: James McKeever
   The Monroe Township High School bowling teams are still looking for a spark, something that can send the squads on a little bit of a surge and push them comfortably above the .500 mark.
   Consistency is what the Falcons are searching for.
   "Inconsistent. That’s what we’ve been," said George Packard, who coaches the boys and girls. "We’re leaving too may open frames and that’s what has prevented us from big scores."
   Packard’s boys team dropped to 3-3-1 after losing to North Brunswick, 4-0, on Monday. The Falcons also faced Sayreville on Wednesday and Colonia on Thursday. After that they won’t return to action until Jan. 3 as the GMC takes a break from bowling while the schools are closed for the holidays.
   "We’ve defeated the teams we were supposed to," Packard said. "The South Plainfield match that we tied, we should have won."
   Individually, senior Gregg Puleio has had a good season, carrying a 199 average. Puleio scored a team-high 613 series in Monday’s loss. He rolled a 222 high game and also a 205.
   "Gregg has been bowling well," Packard said.
   Dan Seyfried backed Puleio with a 611 series (256 high) vs. North Brunswick, which rolled 1,030-1,082-974 in a 3,086 series. Monroe countered with a 2,789 (957-940-892). Freshman Nick Chen checked in with a 244 high game and a 575 set.
   "Nick has his moments," Packard said. "He rolls some good games, then rolls some not-so-good games. I guess that’s what you get out of a freshman sometimes. He just has to settle down, find some consistency and trust his shot."
   Pulieo, Seyfried and Derek Witt form the team’s senior nucleus. Shawon Danser, a sophomore, Chen and sophomore Ron Stuto round out the six-man rotation that Packard uses.
   "In order for us to get better, we need to start making more spares," said Packard. "Too many open frames. If we have an open frame, then we make to come back with a mark."
   The girls team entered Wednesday’s match vs. Sayreville with a 3-4 record. The Falcons were also scheduled to bowl in a tri-match with Colonia and Mother Seton on Thursday before a two-week break.
   "Like the boys, the girls haven’t been consistent. We need to pick up more spares," Packard said.
   The Falcons knocked off North Brunswick, 3-1, on Monday, recording a 2,295 set that was highlighted by a 845 middle game. Jen Matikonis led the scoring with a 497 series (203 high). Nicole Chasan bowled a 478 and Shannon Weber a 470. All three girls are seniors.
   "I’ve been real happy with the way Nicole Chasan and (senior) Nicole Santiago have bowled," the coach said. "They’ve probably been our two most consistent bowlers."