Middle school bowlers close out season

The Rhinelander Area Youth Bowling Club’s middle school team finished its season with a 7-0 loss to Amherst No. 1 Sunday, April 12 at Nick’s Hodag Lanes.

Rhinelander, down to only four bowlers with one bowler out of the lineup due to illness, fell to the Falcons 101-121, 97-145, 112-130, 114-155, 97-169, 74-135, 128-199. 

Natalie Dellenbach led the Hodag middle schoolers with three strikes, seven spares and four opens, while Charlotte Preuss had two strikes, six spares and six opens. Both Dellenbach and Preuss were in contention to qualify for the BCWA Middle School state tournament. Official end-of-season results and state qualifiers had not been posted as of press time.

“The primary goal was to keep Natalie and Charlotte as clean as possible through the seven games,” coach Cory Dellenbach said. “With the exception of a missed easy spare in the first frame right away, Natalie did pretty well. Her other three opens were pretty difficult splits. Charlotte struggled off and on today, but she’s been working through some form and timing stuff.”

Xane Kallio wrapped up with four strikes, one spare and nine opens, while Haylee Anderson had one strike, two spares and 11 opens.

The Hodags finished the season with a 2-4-1 record. Natalie Dellenbach, Preuss, Kallio and Maggie Campbell are all eighth graders slated to move up to the RAYBC high school teams next winter.

For those who qualify, in middle school state tournament will take place Saturday, May 2 in Green Bay.