By Rich Fisher, Sports Editor
The South Brunswick High girls bowling team went into Wednesday’s Greater Middlesex Conference finals with a great chance of winning.
Whether they won or not, no one can take away from what the Vikings have done so far this year.
South Brunswick currently stands at 14-0-1 and has clinched the GMC Red Division title. The Vikings are living up to veteran coach Tara Burniston’s claim that this is the best team she has ever had. South’s top four bowlers are averaging between 202 and 178 and all four advanced to Wednesday’s finals (completed after press time).
”At first, I don’t think they really had a sense of how good they were,” Burniston said. “Last year, we were hoping for an 850 (team score) per game. This year we hope to shoot 900. When they don’t get a 900 they’re a little disappointed because now they know actually how good they are.
”Now it’s settling in, but I hope it’s not too much pressure. It’s no longer a matter of getting good, you have to keep that confidence up. With bowling, you can be physically capable of doing well, but if your mental state isn’t all there it doesn’t matter. We have to just make sure we’re mentally prepared for everything that’s coming up.”
South Brunswick’s four entries into the GMCT finals broke the team record of three, which was set last year. They include Jackie Sutton and her 202 average, Justine Bleacher (187), Carly Kohutanycz (182) and Kayleigh Kimberlin (178).
Bleacher, just a freshman, led all qualifiers with a 670 series and had a 37-pin advantage on the second-place bowler entering Wednesday (the qualifying series counts toward the finals).
”I knew about her because her cousin (Susie Bleacher) bowled for me a couple of years ago,” Burniston said. “I knew she was up and coming; you always hear about things from bowling families.
”We ran a summer league for high school and when I saw her I figured she would at least give me a 170. She’s definitely exceeded my expectations and handled the pressure very well. That’s what most impressive right now. Open bowling versus varsity bowling is a completely different story.”
One of the secrets to Bleacher’s success is her ability to pick up spares. Then again, she puts herself in a good spot to do so.
”Her first ball is rarely out of the pocket; she leaves herself an easy spare to pick up,” Burniston said. “She never throws an ugly ball. It’s nice and it’s consistent.”
On the boys side, Dan Caruso and Dave Sutton each qualified for Wednesday’s finals. The two have helped the boys team to a 7-7-2 record, which is ahead of what head coach Brian Burniston was counting on.
”We’re very impressed with how the season has gone,” said Tara, who helps her husband coach the boys. “To end up .500 in a tough Red Division would be a great accomplishment in a rebuilding year.
”Danny Caruso has had his ups and downs. But he’s been bowling well. He’s caught fire at the right time.”
The Vikes have gotten a big boost from David Krier, who was on the JV team last year.
”He has the second-highest average and he has really improved his game tremendously,” Tara Burniston said. “He’s only a sophomore, so we’re looking forward to him improving even more.”

