WHS bowling teams bank on experience for improvement
It was a struggle last season for both the boys and girls bowling teams at Wooster High School, especially in the improving Ohio Cardinal Conference.
This season, however, Tracie Leiendecker, the longtime coach who leads both programs, is banking on the on-lane experience both teams gained last year to pay off for the Generals.
Boys
The Generals were 4-13 a year ago including a 3-9 record in the OCC.
But having lost no lettermen, Leiendecker and her assistant Dave Ennis look forward to the team’s veteran presence including seniors Sam Fleming, who carried a 200 average last season, and Isaac Ebie (188 average).
“We’re different from last season (in that) the team has been together for at least one year and has more experience on the lanes,” Leiendecker said.“Our boys are returning all letterwinners from last season. We will be led by our two seniors who have been a part of the team since their freshmen year, followed by two juniors.”
Junior Gavin Ennis returns after posting a 191 average as a sophomore, with classmate Kellen Buckley (155) and sophomores Owen Schneider (152) and Jayden Wills (139) also returning.
Leiendecker also listed newcomers Brodian Michaels (senior), junior Bobby Smith, sophomore Aiden Coleman and freshman Dawson Michaels as possible varsity contributors.
Now entering her 15th season, Leiendecker knows it may take a little time before the Generals start rolling.
“The start of the season always comes with the challenge of getting back into the swing of things,” she said. “This should only take one or two practices, as more than half the team started bowling very young in our junior league program.
“As always we’ll do our best to be competitive in the OCC. As other programs are continuing to grow, our conference has become stronger and stronger, and as a coach, you want your team to succeed. Our hopes are to improve on our record from last season.”
Girls
Wooster was 6-11 last year and just missed a .500 record in the conference, going 5-7. The Generals will miss a pair of letterwinners as Linnea Savage and Chloe Bennett have graduated.
But Leiendecker and Ennis welcome back a big sophomore class, four of whom lettered as freshmen and five in all, along with a pair of juniors she hopes paid attention to the veterans a year ago.
“We lost two seniors (from) last season, but they taught the younger bowlers everything they could in the short time they had together,” Leiendecker said. “With four freshmen letterwinners returning for season two, they have been working hard all summer to improve their games along with our return letterwinner (junior Ainsley Shetler).”
Mackenzie Jentes leads the returning sophomores after rolling a 142 average in her first varsity season. Classmate Cadence Anna averaged 141 while Mallory Legg was next at 136 and Aaliyah Raul at 113.
Junior Morgan Cover, sophomore Aubrey Knopp, and freshmen Lauren Lipnos and Nicole Ring round out the roster.
There’s strength in numbers, and Leiendecker said that will be a hallmark for this year’s squad.
“All the team members have worked hard on their own game in the offseason,” she said. “The challenge will be to come together and achieve their goals as a team. I believe it will not take long. The difference from last season to this is accountability. They are all stronger mentally and physically, and teamwork will ultimately be our team’s strength.”
Two of Wooster’s three November matches are in the OCC, with matches at Mansfield Senior on Nov. 19 and Ashland on Nov. 26, sandwiched around a Nov. 21 visit from neighboring Triway at Wayne Lanes on Nov. 21.