By Warren Rappleyea
Despite the loss of four key players to graduation, Sayreville War Memorial High School’s boys’ bowling team is off to a 5-1 start, and the Bombers are again proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the Greater Middlesex Conference.
Last winter, Sayreville went 12-3-1 in the regular season, yet managed to turn it on come tournament time. The Bombers went on to win the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions for the fourth time in a pressure-packed five-game series against Brick Memorial High School.
Chris DeoCampo and Ryan Johnson have picked up much of the load. DeoCampo has already rolled four 600-plus series, including a 685 in a win over Edison High School, and has a high game of 269 pins to his credit. The senior is hovering right around the 215 average he posted a year ago. Johnson is averaging just over 200 pins and has three 600-plus series thus far.
Coach Joe Slazik, who took over the boys’ team after Mike Weinert retired to spend more time with his growing family, expects both DeoCampo and Johnson to add to their averages with each passing match.
Eddie Peterson, a senior who had several big games off the bench last winter, is averaging 190 pins, including a 638 series in a victory against North Brunswick Township High School. Another senior, Dheera Rajeevan has been impressive as well, averaging 188 pins.
Junior Peter Lawrence is averaging 147 pins, and sophomore Jonathan Tabarro has looked good in limited action, posting three 200-plus pin games. Senior Dylan Gilligan, sophomores Thomas Suchcicki and Joseph Yannuzzi and freshmen Nolan Aucone and Dylan Rodrigues round out the Sayreville roster.
“We always look to peak at tournament time, and we’ll do the same thing this year,” Slazik said. “With the talent we have, the bar is high.”
Slazik’s girls, meanwhile, are rebuilding following a 14-3 campaign. The Blue and Gray lost several players to graduation, including GMC individual champion Mary Kate Kersting.
Juniors Melissa Yataco and Katie Vince are both averaging about 150 pins to lead the team in scoring. In addition, junior Jessica Loglisei is averaging 140 pins. Sophomore Brieyanna Carrow and freshmen Idaysa Dickerson, Sharise Shaw and Sam Szymanski are showing promise.
Sayreville’s girls are 1-5 thus far, having downed Perth Amboy High School for their lone win.
“The girls’ team is very young and right now, they’re focused on learning and just getting better,” Slazik said.