Both the Brighton High School boys and girls bowling teams had a striking season filled with personal growth, new records and team memories. This season, the entire junior varsity team participated in the state competition, and many varsity members made it to regionals. Sophomore George Ascencio was the only member of the varsity team who made it to the state competition, where he bowled a high score of 191, putting him in 53rd place.
Ascencio said that Brighton has “the best bowling team. Love it.”
Though the boys bowling team dealt with a few difficult losses and postponed matches early in the season, they made a comeback and got “out of the gutter,” with their most notable wins being against Hartland (30-0) and Howell (28-4). Freshman Gavin Collard said his biggest achievement of the year was that he “bowled a 124, and recently [he] just bowled a 120.” The girls team succeeded in winning against rivals Northville (29-1 and 28-2), Howell (21-9) and Hartland (27-3). Along with team successes, many bowlers achieved personal growth and personal records this season as well.
“I got my high score of 116 for being in my first year,” junior Stella Podina said. Podina also said her favorite memory from the season was “being able to hang out with [her] friends and just having a good time.”
“I’m always laughing and making jokes and stuff,” Podina said.
From cheering each other on to achieving success during senior night, the bowling team displayed a positive team environment, with many teammates serving as role models and inspirations to others.
“One of my favorite things at bowling for this season is definitely being with the team and supporting them,” Ascencio said. “If they’re having, like, a tough time…help motivate them to climb right back up.”
Pierce Pettengill and Sam Anderson, two seniors on the team, both strive to be a positive influence on the underclassmen and encourage them to improve in their sport, have fun and enjoy the team community while it lasts. Pettengill said his favorite part about being a senior is that he “can be a role model to all the younger people on the team.”
Anderson, when talking about helping the underclassmen, said he is “really proud of how they bowled this season.”
Additionally, one unique thing many bowlers bond over is whether they bowl one-handed or two-handed. The traditional way is to bowl one-handed, but there has been a debate among the team about which is the best way to bowl. Freshman Gavin Collard said his biggest point of growth this season was that he “started bowling two-handed.”
Bowling is a sport for all students, whether they’re in it to win it or just want to participate in an off-season sport with a competitive team. Many students join the BHS bowling team with a competitive spirit, while others use it to cross-train or have fun with a team during the winter months.
“I don’t get too stressed about it. It’s not my main sport, so it’s just really fun to play,” Pettengill said.
Sports at BHS are competitive, and being able to show up for a team and have fun without stress makes for a good opportunity. However, some students do take the sport very seriously.
“It’s my dream to become a professional bowler,” Ascencio said.
It’s determination like this that makes bowling a gratifying sport and experience. Senior Irelynd Otis is an avid Brighton bowling fan who has many friends on the team. She enjoys watching the school spirit the teammates have for the sport and each other.
“It’s really fun to watch them because they all cheer for each other and get really excited when somebody does really good, and it’s also fun to go because you can get good food at the bowling alley or hit up a game of pool after,” Otis said.
