Amherst lady keglers on the rise; new coach at Sacred Heart
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

There’s more interest this year in bowling for Amherst Central’s girls’ team.

Despite returning only three bowlers, the Lady Tigers will field full “A”, “B” and “C” rosters. All of the new girls are beginner bowlers but are improving, said coach Dennis Illig.

Amherst’s “A” team will feature junior Carolyn Trabert leading off followed by sophomore Katie Fowler and juniors Stephanie Mohr and anchor Holly Johnson. Trabert and Johnson are co-captains.

Johnson already has school records for high series (604) and average (175.2) in 2005 and high game (244) in 2004. She has a career pin total of 31,827, also a school record. She is also a member of the school’s 200 club for bowling 200 games.

The left-hander just missed qualifying at last year’s ECIC Rolloffs and qualified for the Section VI Championships as an individual. She averaged 185 at the Maryvale Holiday Tournament on Dec. 4 and between 180-183 in practice.

“She’s more mature this year and bowling better,” said Illig.

Trabert just missed sectionals with a 147.5. You need 150 to qualify. Illig said making sectionals is a goal for Trabert. She’s shooting 150 in practice.

The “B” team will feature freshmen Kelsey Lewin and Lauren Williams, junior Carolyn Sobol and junior Kristin Ortman, who will anchor. All are new to the sport.

Sophomores Gabriella Borzillieri and Lauren Kapus, junior Mallorie Saleh and freshman Natalie Korman make up the “C” team. Sophomore Carol Powell is the team manager.

The team has shown improvement. Illig said not one of the new girls trying out averaged 100 but now every girl except the “C” team bowlers are averaging well over that number.

Amherst moves from ECIC II, where they won one match, to ECIC III. Illig sees Tonawanda, who beat Amherst 7-0 on Friday, Maryvale, who they faced Monday and Pioneer, who they bowl Wednesday, as his team’s toughest opponents.

Against Tonawanda, Johnson rolled personal best games (201, 246, 257) and series (704) which were also school records.

Trabert rolled personal best games (177, 177) and series (488). Fowler bowled a 155 in her third game.
          Amherst Central
          2006-07 Schedule
12-13 at Pioneer (Arcade) 4:30 p.m.
1-3 at Depew 4:30 p.m. (Broadway)
1-8 Cheektowaga ......... 4:30 p.m.
1-10 Springville ............ 4:30 p.m.
1-17 Tonawanda   .......... 4:30 p.m.
1-22 atMaryvale(Airport) 4:30 p.m.
1-24 Pioneer ................. 4:30 p.m.
2-5 Depew   .................... 4:30 p.m.
2-7 at Cheek. (Thruway) 4:30 p.m.
2-12 Springville ............ 4:30 p.m.
2-13       at       ECIC       Rolloffs
(Thruway) ............................... TBA
2-16 at Section VI Championships
(Thruway) ............................... TBA
  *All   matches   are   at   Airport
Lanes unless otherwise noted.

Sacred Heart

The Sharks are 18-10 through seven Monsignor Martin Association matches.

Sacred Heart has beaten Nichols, Nardin and Holy Angels, 4-0 and Mount St. Mary’s and Nichols, 3-1. They lost to Immaculata and St. Mary’s of Lancaster, 4-0.

Katie Salisbury anchors with a 153 average. She has earned All-Catholic Second Team honors the past two years. Her mother, Ellen, is the team’s new coach and describes Katie as a consistent bowler with a good strike ball. Katie also bowls in a league at the Tonawanda Bowling Center.

Senior Anna Dombrowski (144 average), a four-year member on varsity, leads off. Also a returning All-Catholic Second Team selection, Salisbury said Dombrowski is an excellent spare bowler.

Dombrowski and varsity newcomer, senior Rachel Lowe, are the team captains.

Junior Natalie Wasilewski also returns.

The Sharks finished last year with a regular season record of 37½-18½. They took second at All-Catholics.
              Sacred Heart
          2006-07 Schedule
12-14 Nichols................ 3:45 p.m.
12-19 Nardin ................. 3:45 p.m.
1-2 Mount St. Mary’s ... 3:45 p.m.
1-4 St. Mary’s of Lancaster 3:45 p.m.
1-9 Mt. Mercy ............... 3:45 p.m.
1-11 Holy Angels ......... 3:45 p.m.
1-18 All-Catholics ........ 3:45 p.m.
  *All   matches   are   held   at
Thruway Lanes.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com