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Coach rates Lynx bowlers at top of league
By By Jill Meier
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EmailNovember 17. 2009 3:09PM
Brandon Valley’s youth is finally catching up with them.
The Lynx club bowling teams, which have been staffed largely by underclassmen in previous seasons, returns to the lanes this year with a wealth of varsity experience and a new head coach.
Early in the season, the Lynx boys are finding themselves in one of the league’s best positions.
“We’re the only team that had everyone back this year,” said new head coach Rich Blue. “Every one of our varsity boys has varsity experience, and no other team in our league can say that.”
Four senior boys will be challenged for their varsity roles. The senior lineup includes John Grothe, Nick Rock, Trace Andersen and Chris Kujawa. Junior Nick Karber and sophomores Josh Hillman and Austin Weisenbach are likely candidates for the varsity roster, as well as Richard Blue, an eighth grader.
Sioux Falls powerhouses – Washington and Roosevelt – both lost significant talent to graduation. “Their numbers are down,” Blue said. “Washington is probably still the favorite, but it’s a lot closer for the top five teams.”
Blue believes the Lynx boys are in that top-five mix, ranking the hometown team at second or third.
“We have five boys and this is their fourth year on the team,” Blue said. “Their goal is to win state. They’ve been there four years and now is the time to win it.”
Also making the cut for the Lynx boys this season are Garrett Maxson, Brian Kribell, Brady Mutschler, Jacob Giebink, Mike Hillman, Brent Maxson, Drew Peterson and Eric Roach. Randall Howard is the alternate for the boys.
The Lady Lynx will be led by underclassmen Haley Rubin, a sophomore, and Brookelyn Jellema, a freshman. They’ll look to help from seniors Shannon Minihan, Brittney Myrlie and Anne Christensen, as well as juniors Jasmine Miller, Nicki Steffen and Allison Kiner. Sophomore Briana Grimmius is on the roster along with freshmen Ashlynn Boerhave and Caitlin Hammond. Kelsey Nimick also secured a spot in the program.
“Our top eight girls are all back from last year,” Blue said, which he feels ranks the Brandon Valley girls as one of the top four teams in the league.
Like the boys, the Washington Warriors is the program to beat. “Maybe not number-wise, but their top bowlers are some of the best in the state,” Blue said.
“Everyone else is real close – a couple of pins, a strike here and a spare there.”
Blue is excited that Jellema is back full-strength this season. After having surgery on her right wrist last season, the freshman was forced to resort to throwing the ball with her left hand. “She’s right-handed this year and all of a sudden her average is 60 pins higher. She’s gone from a 90 average to 150.”
At tryouts last month, Blue was faced with the largest number of kids vying for a position in the program. Thirty-nine kids went through the try-out process and Blue trimmed it to 29.
“We had so many kids tryout this year, that we had to turn down 10,” Blue said. He credits the increased interest to the program’s longevity. “Hopefully the word is spreading … and they think it’s cool to bowl for their school and earn a varsity letter.”
Assisting Blue this season are Steve Rubin and Troy Hillman.
The Lynx opened their 2009-2010 season Nov. 13 at home against Sioux Falls Roosevelt.
BV CLUB BOWLING 2009-2010 SCHEDULE
Brandon Valley matches are bowled at Valley Lanes and Rec and start at 4 p.m.
Nov. 20 Vermillion
Dec. 4 at S.F. Lincoln
Dec. 11 at Brookings
Dec. 18 O’Gorman
Jan. 8 Bye
Jan. 15 at S.F. Washington
Jan. 22 Harrisburg
Jan. 29 West Central
Feb. 5 Brookings
Feb. 12 at Vermillion
Feb. 19 at S.F. Lincoln
Week of Feb. 22 State Tournament
The Lynx club bowling teams, which have been staffed largely by underclassmen in previous seasons, returns to the lanes this year with a wealth of varsity experience and a new head coach.
Early in the season, the Lynx boys are finding themselves in one of the league’s best positions.
“We’re the only team that had everyone back this year,” said new head coach Rich Blue. “Every one of our varsity boys has varsity experience, and no other team in our league can say that.”
Four senior boys will be challenged for their varsity roles. The senior lineup includes John Grothe, Nick Rock, Trace Andersen and Chris Kujawa. Junior Nick Karber and sophomores Josh Hillman and Austin Weisenbach are likely candidates for the varsity roster, as well as Richard Blue, an eighth grader.
Sioux Falls powerhouses – Washington and Roosevelt – both lost significant talent to graduation. “Their numbers are down,” Blue said. “Washington is probably still the favorite, but it’s a lot closer for the top five teams.”
Blue believes the Lynx boys are in that top-five mix, ranking the hometown team at second or third.
“We have five boys and this is their fourth year on the team,” Blue said. “Their goal is to win state. They’ve been there four years and now is the time to win it.”
Also making the cut for the Lynx boys this season are Garrett Maxson, Brian Kribell, Brady Mutschler, Jacob Giebink, Mike Hillman, Brent Maxson, Drew Peterson and Eric Roach. Randall Howard is the alternate for the boys.
The Lady Lynx will be led by underclassmen Haley Rubin, a sophomore, and Brookelyn Jellema, a freshman. They’ll look to help from seniors Shannon Minihan, Brittney Myrlie and Anne Christensen, as well as juniors Jasmine Miller, Nicki Steffen and Allison Kiner. Sophomore Briana Grimmius is on the roster along with freshmen Ashlynn Boerhave and Caitlin Hammond. Kelsey Nimick also secured a spot in the program.
“Our top eight girls are all back from last year,” Blue said, which he feels ranks the Brandon Valley girls as one of the top four teams in the league.
Like the boys, the Washington Warriors is the program to beat. “Maybe not number-wise, but their top bowlers are some of the best in the state,” Blue said.
“Everyone else is real close – a couple of pins, a strike here and a spare there.”
Blue is excited that Jellema is back full-strength this season. After having surgery on her right wrist last season, the freshman was forced to resort to throwing the ball with her left hand. “She’s right-handed this year and all of a sudden her average is 60 pins higher. She’s gone from a 90 average to 150.”
At tryouts last month, Blue was faced with the largest number of kids vying for a position in the program. Thirty-nine kids went through the try-out process and Blue trimmed it to 29.
“We had so many kids tryout this year, that we had to turn down 10,” Blue said. He credits the increased interest to the program’s longevity. “Hopefully the word is spreading … and they think it’s cool to bowl for their school and earn a varsity letter.”
Assisting Blue this season are Steve Rubin and Troy Hillman.
The Lynx opened their 2009-2010 season Nov. 13 at home against Sioux Falls Roosevelt.
BV CLUB BOWLING 2009-2010 SCHEDULE
Brandon Valley matches are bowled at Valley Lanes and Rec and start at 4 p.m.
Nov. 20 Vermillion
Dec. 4 at S.F. Lincoln
Dec. 11 at Brookings
Dec. 18 O’Gorman
Jan. 8 Bye
Jan. 15 at S.F. Washington
Jan. 22 Harrisburg
Jan. 29 West Central
Feb. 5 Brookings
Feb. 12 at Vermillion
Feb. 19 at S.F. Lincoln
Week of Feb. 22 State Tournament
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