No Bumpers Needed at Neuqua
November 24, 2009
For many people, the word “strike” usually brings the “great American pastime” to mind, and images of wooden bats and home runs surface. Many overlook the game of strikes, spares, and gutter balls, but the girls’ bowling team has been a part of Neuqua’s athletic program since 1997.
Coached by Kathy Lhotak and Ashley Hartke, the girls travel to Parkside Bowling alley each day to practice, where they share the alley with Waubonsie, East Aurora, Oswego and Oswego East.
The girls who wear polos have established a name for themselves. Last year, they placed third in Conference, behind only to Waubonsie and Lake Park. Returning to Varsity this year are Seniors Kelsey Hammersmark and Elise Lauber, along with Juniors Kasti Kieszkowski and Tara Stasiewicz.
“These are the four girls that I’m hoping will be able to stay where they’re at, pick up the pace, and be leaders again this year.” Lhotak also hopes to look to Kelly Goldstein and Dani Cirritano to make key contributions to the team.
Though two of the returners may be out for the first couple of games, the team hopes to come out strong this year. “Usually we’re right in the middle. Everybody has their good weeks and everybody has their bad weeks,” said Lhotak. Because Waubonsie graduated multiple seniors and lost some players due to the Metea split, Neuqua’s girls hope to come out on top this year.
Hammersmark has been on the Varsity bowling team since her freshman year and held the highest average last year among Neuqua’s bowlers.
About her experiences on the team, Hammersmark said, “It’s basically a sport that people wanna have fun…Varsity takes it seriously but a lot of the girls on JV are just starting to learn how to bowl and they progress as the year goes on.” Lhotak expanded on this idea, “Bowling is such a different sport altogether… I want people to understand that yes, it’s competitive, yes we care about how we do, but it’s not like the pressure of if we win or lose, it’s going to be all over. It’s not.”
Lhotak has been Neuqua’s bowling coach for nine years and has bowled since she was ten years old. She has participated in state tournaments for fifteen years and has traveled to the national tournament for ten years. As a student, she went to Waubonsie Valley High School and was a part of their intramural bowling program. Now, along with Neuqua’s team, she coaches Intramurals that combine Neuqua, Waubonsie, and possibly this year Metea students as well.
Kelly Klus, Intrigue Editor
