Prep bowling programs off and rolling

APOPKA — The energy at Brunswick Wekiva Lanes was palpable on the afternoon of Sept. 4, as three area bowling programs rolled their first balls of the 2014 season.

Dr. Phillips, Ocoee and West Orange all had their first matches within a few lanes of one another, with the boys and girls teams for the Warriors and Panthers taking on each other, while the Knights competed against Winter Haven. 

The familiarity between teams before things got underway was evident, with plenty of pleasantries being exchanged and an impressive showing of spectator support on hand.

While each program has its own respective expectations and goals, Dr. Phillips coach Mike Barefoot probably spoke for all three when sharing his hopes for his team for that first match.

“The nerves — I’m looking for them to get over their nerves,” Barefoot said.

Barefoot’s boys and girls team both fell to the Warriors (West Orange’s boys won, 880-767; the Warrior girls won 704-628) but, with a young roster, it was a positive step in the right direction.

“I’ve got a lot of young bowlers,” Barefoot said. “They’re young, and they’re getting after it. We’re going up against the West Orange girls, that are top-five in the state, and all I want to do is compete.”

Ocoee’s boys won 2,207-1,844 over Winter Haven, with Wanya Mitchell leading the way by rolling a 214. The Knights boys and girls programs are coached by Joe Amendola.

Wekiva Lanes is the home site for West Orange and Ocoee following the closing of Carter Family Bowl in Winter Garden. Roughly 16 miles from the Warriors’ campus on Beulah Road, it is a bit of a change from competing roughly two miles away.

West Orange will bowl against Winter Park Sept. 17, on the road and against Wekiva on Sept. 16 (Wekiva will be the “home” team for this match, although the facility serves as the home lanes for both programs).

Dr. Phillips hosts Edgewater Sept. 17, at AMF Sky Lanes and will host Ocoee Sept. 18.

Ocoee will take on Lake Highland Prep Sept. 11, and Trinity Prep on Sept. 17, per the team’s schedule on c2cschools.com.

The road to the FHSAA Bowling Finals at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando this November still has a ways to go, but for right now Barefoot and other local coaches are focused on seeing their teams improve each match leading up to district tournaments.

“Everyone goes to districts,” Barefoot said. “Everyone has a chance.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].