East Knox bowling has begun, and Coach Chip Pozderac sees big things for both the boys’ and girls’ teams coming off successful seasons.
The East Knox bowling team took on Highland at Colonial Lanes on Nov. 29, with the boys’ team winning 2184 to 1517 led by Will Jensen, who was first team All-KMAC last year and has been KMAC Bowler of the Year two of the last three years.
Jensen had a score of 506 with games of 258 and 248, which was his second 500 series of his career. The girls’ team was led by senior Olivia Nastasi, who scored 189 and 193 in a 1702-1446 win. Junior Chloe Stevens also bowled well, with scores of 169 and 152.
The Bulldogs faced Fredericktown in KMAC action on Dec. 1, taking a 2418 to 1846 win. Jenson scored 437, while freshman Blake Calhoun had 410 and junior Jordan Hull scored a 374.
The girls’ team was edged out 1796-1803, with Nastasi leading the way with scores of 244 and 225. Stevens had scores of 155 and 179.
On Dec. 2 East Knox participated in the Division II Kickoff Tournament, which was a single elimination tournament where the boys’ team was seventh in the qualifying rounds. They beat 10th seed Northwestern 508-483 and then upset Kenton Ridge 651-470. They made it to the final four and beat Fort Loramie 517-470.
The Bulldogs went to the finals to face defending state champion Coldwater. Earlier in the day Coldwater had a perfect 300 Baker game. While the Bulldogs bowled well with a 540, they were beaten by Coldwater’s 628.
The boys’ bowling team is coming off a 28-1 season where they finished first in KMAC play going 13-1. Coach Pozderac has coached for three years and has an overall record of 34-7, all at East Knox.
This year’s team brings back letter winners Jenson, Hull, senior Dylan Reed, junior Lane Lashley and sophomore Colin Baxter. New to the group is Calhoun, senior Aaron White, sophomore Gavin Kidwell and freshmen Aiden Stapleton and Shaymus Lashley.
The team’s strength is experience, as the seniors have experienced lows of freshman year and grown to become one of the top teams, Pozderac explained. He said then he started to coach he was told that East Knox was the laughing stock of the league, but in his first year they won the KMAC tournament and last year won the league. They missed the state tournament by only 40 pins, and Pozderac said the team is hungry, driven and competitive putting in hours of practice. A weakness, however, is to keep their head in the game and not look past opponents as they did last year against Cardington-Lincoln for their only loss. Pozderac’s goal is to win the league.
“This year’s team has more experience at higher level competitions than last year,” Pozderac said. “They played a full season, were invited to bowl the Division II State Kickoff Tournament and competed in multiple tournaments with Division I schools. The boys also know how to win now, and they want that back. They have set their goals and it will be great to follow along.”
The girls’ team was 13-6 and 10-4 in KMAC, good for second. They return Nastasi and Stevens, along with seniors Miale Hurlow, McKayla Blakely and Madi Frost. Newcomers include seniors Raelynn Williams, Logan Huffman, junior Beth Aeppli and freshmen Lily Scott, Madison Hoffman and Olivia Hoffman.
“Olivia Nastasi is an amazing bowler,” Pozderac said. “She played basketball for me and followed me to bowling, and I am thankful she did. She has so much natural skill and timing, and her commitment to her game is unbelievable. She is our base and really is a great team leader.”
Pozderac also praised Stevens, calling her “one of the most graceful bowlers” he has ever seen.
“She is smooth and when she is on (and doesn’t pull to the left!) she is amazing to watch,” he said. “I am hoping that she continues to grow. Miale Hurlow is another senior who has had her ups and downs but seems to be finally getting into the bowling groove. Her preseason has been great, her average is way up from last year and she is reading the lanes better.”
While it is going to a be a rebuilding year after losing several key bowlers to graduation, he sees this foundation building off last year’s success where they went from last to second.
Next up is Cardington-Lincoln on Dec. 5, followed by a Dec. 8 matchup with River View.
