While this year's squad may not have as much depth as in the past, Pennsylvania College of Technology coed bowling team coach Deb Vincenzes is optimistic of another successful season. The Wildcats open Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference play on Tuesday at Faxon Lanes in Loyalsock Township.
"I think (opening at home) is good for everybody in the white division for all the new blood I have. They should feel comfortable in their home setting. I think we should do well at home," Vincenzes said. Also competing will be teams from Lehigh-Carbon Community College, Northampton Community College and Johnson College.
"I expect to do well in the conference this year because we can use a lot of our returning seniors and they can bowl in the conference for four years. I haven't seen enough of the new people to know what to expect from them, but we have some good bowlers and I think they will improve as the season goes on," Vincenzes continued.
During matches, three-person teams are fielded in three divisions blue (best men), gold (best women) and white (mixed).
Penn College's blue team will draw from Merle Burkhart (junior/Lancaster), Ryan Forry (senior/Lancaster), Wes Moyer (junior/Fleetwood), Dave Florist (junior/Horsham), David Birunas (sophomore/Lancaster) and Ben Adams (freshman/Westminster, Md.). Burkhart is averaging 220, Forry 213, Adams 205, Moyer 204 and Florist 200.
Other men expected to contribute are sophomore Peter Stuut (Radnor) and freshmen Aaron Smith (Waynesboro) and Tyler Weaver (Catawissa).
"I'm going to have really strong people who have bowled for at least three to four years for the conference. I'm real encouraged about what we will be able to do conference-wise. It's when we get to states that those who have bowled more than two years won't be eligible to compete," the coach said.
A year ago, Penn College women dominated the end-of-the-season Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association championships, claiming the overall title and doubles crown. Although Jessica Fritz, a sophomore from Lewisburg, is the lone returnee from that effort, she will be joined by Evelyn Furman (freshman/Montoursville), Caitlin Wagner (freshman/Northumberland) and Kristina Dalsey (sophomore/Blue Bell) in an effort to repeat. According to Vincenzes, Furman is averaging 195 and Fritz 180 in the early going.
"We're looking forward to a good season. It's always about preparing to go to states at the end of February and we're looking to get better during the season so we can compete well at states," added Vincenzes, who won PCAA Coach of the Year honors during each of her first three seasons.