Hodag varsity bowlers split again in D9 play

The Rhinelander Area Youth Bowling Club’s varsity team split its matches Sunday in Wisconsin High School Bowling Club District 9 play at Dale’s Weston Lanes, defeating Marathon 9-0 to open the day and then falling to Antigo 7-2.

The Hodags swept the opening match against the Raiders, with their closest call coming in the first game of the nine-game Baker series, which they won 137-130. Rhinelander averaged 172.6 pins per game in the opening match, with high scores of 207 in Game 3 and 217 in Game 8.

“First match they came out focused and were throwing some good balls,” coach Mike Bourcier said. “The team we bowled wasn’t very strong, and the kids were relaxed and not forcing their throws, which resulted in good scores. Still missing some spares but fewer. In general, I was happy with their bowling and the ball motions, which in my mind I thought we should be good for the next match against Antigo.”

Things tailed off a bit for Rhinelander in the second match, with an average of 149.2. The Hodags’ best game was a one-pin loss (183-182) in Game 7, and the team also lost by two pins in Game 8 (149-147). Rhinelander’s wins came in Game 2 (155-1460 and Game 9 (146-114).

“When the balls weren’t finishing like the first match, they start to try harder and tense up which, in bowling, has a negative effect on the ball roll and usually results in lower scoring,” Bourcier noted.

Dominic Hakala led Rhinelander, filling 29 of his 36 frames on the day, with 13 strikes. Blake Klingen was also 29 of 36 with 11 strikes. Jackson Fuss finished was 19 of 34 with 13 strikes, Leander Sprecksel was 12 of 26 with seven strikes, freshman Eli Miller went 21 of 31 with nine strikes, 12 spares and Brighton Walkowski was 7 of 17 with four strikes.

The results kept Rhinelander at .500 (3-3) in D9, Division 2 play.

“Told the kids that today is the start if we want to make it to state, win both matches and we are in good shape, lose and it will be tough, as we will be behind the 8-ball,” Bourcier said.

JV squad edged by Everest

The Rhinelander/Three Lakes/Elcho/Phelps junior varsity team split its matches Sunday, suffering its first loss of the season.

After defeating Wisconsin Rapids 7-2 in the first round, the Hodags fell 5-4 against D.C. Everest in a winner-take-all ninth game that was decided by a single pin. 

The Hodags fell behind against the Evergreens dropping the first four games. Rhinelander rallied back, winning the next four (172-116, 168-167, 195-118 and 155-149).

In the deciding ninth game, the two teams went back and fourth. With one ball left in the 10th frame, Rhinelander’s Oren Alsager needed a strike to tie the game and force a roll-off, but left the 4-pin standing to give D.C. Everest the 152-151 win.

“While the match result wasn’t what we wanted, it was a great match to see the kids realize what they can do — digging back from being down and nearly pull out the win,” coach Cory Dellenbach said. 

The Hodags won the final seven games against Wisconsin Rapids after opening the match falling behind 2-0. 

Alsager led the Hodags, going 32 of 36 with 19 strikes. Alyssa Habeck was 21 of 36 with nine strikes, while Oliver Doppke was 19 of 32 up with seven strikes.

“Oliver had a nice day on the lanes, especially in the second match. There were some key spares in there from Oliver that helped win some of those later games against D.C. Everest,” coach Dellenbach noted. 

Silas Johnson and Charlie Duquaine were both 18 of 36 with 10 and seven strikes, respectively.

Middle schoolers swept by Manawa

The Rhinelander Middle School bowling team fell in all seven games to Manawa on Sunday afternoon, dropping the Hodags to 0-2-1 on the season. 

“Spares and inconsistent mark hitting really did us in today,” coach Dellenbach said. “While some aspects of the match were better than other weeks, we really need to start seeing some more consistent play from them.”

Rhinelander’s highest scoring game were the first and third with 133 each. 

Natalie Dellenbach led Rhinelander going 9 of 14 with four strikes, 5 spare and 5 opens, while Charlotte Preuss was 9 of 14 with three strikes. Maggie Campbell had the best game of her season thus far finishing 7 of 14 with three strikes. Xane Kallio was 6 of 14 with two strikes and Haylee Anderson was 1 of 14 on the day.

Up next

The middle school and high school teams are all in action again in just two weeks at Dale’s Weston Lanes on Sunday, Jan. 18.