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DEC.30, 2024—With a roll of a ball across the hardwood, the Pal-Mac Varsity Bowling teams entered the history books.

The Red Raiders, now officially part of Section V athletics, began their first season in decades in December. Home matches are held at Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes, owned by 1985 Pal-Mac graduate Doug Kent, a former professional bowler in his own right.

The girls’ team picked up its first win on Dec. 5 against Geneva, and the players are already talking about how this new sport is bringing them together in surprising ways.

7th grader Courtney Guck and junior Jacob Naugle rolled the first strikes in program history, marking a milestone for a program that didn’t even exist a year ago.

“It’s been fun so far,” Naugle said. “I found it as an opportunity to get better and have fun with it.”

Naugle is no newcomer to bowling, as he competed in friendly leagues. The team is a blend of those who have "been there" and those who have barely bowled. 

Seventh-grader Nora Rowe has bowled since she was three, encouraged by her dad’s love for the game. Now, she’s getting her first taste of competitive play at the school level.

“Bowling is always fun,” Rowe said. “You can make new friends, and you can also learn a new skill.”

Junior Trey Porpora, a multi-sport athlete who’s used to the high-energy atmosphere of football games, joined the team because several of his friends signed up.

“It’s definitely pretty competitive, but it’s also a lot of fun,” Porpora said. “We take it seriously, but it’s a nice environment.”

At the helm of both teams is Coach Todd Brockhuizen, a dedicated bowler himself. With nearly 50 years of bowling experience and three decades of coaching at local schools under his belt, he was the perfect choice to guide Pal-Mac’s revamped program.

At a recent practice, Brockhuizen demonstrated his techniques to the team, but with a twist. He first showed them a more proper, conventional form and then followed it up with an incorrect form. He believes showing the student-athletes both techniques will help prevent them from forming bad habits as the season goes on.

“I am very honored to be able to start a new program from the ground up,” Brockhuizen said. “Coaching bowling is my passion, and I’m excited to see these students grow and thrive.”

This teaching technique had quite the impression on senior Catie Kubasiewicz, a standout on Pal-Mac’s Varsity Swim and Softball teams. Kubasiewicz said joining the bowling team has been an “eye-opener.” She said she was motivated by the chance to join something new in her last year of high school.

“It’s a whole different perspective with a new team and coach,” Kubasiewicz said. “You realize how wrong you’ve been doing everything, but then you get the proper training to get better.”

The team itself is the result of lots of planning. Pal-Mac offered a Varsity Girls and Boys team in 60s and early 70s, but hadn't fielded an official team since. The new bowling program was part of the 2024-2025 school budget, which was passed by voters in May 2024. Equipment, including bowling balls, ensures that any student can participate without barriers.

Porpora echoed the idea of easy access to equipment as he excitedly held up a bowling ball with a spider web pattern on it.

“It’s something new to do,” Porpora said, “and it’s a lot of fun.”

As for Kubasiewicz, she says she’s still learning the ropes but loves the team aspect of the sport. She noted the similarities between bowling and swimming, where one competes in an event alone but is contributing to the overall success of the team.

When asked if they would return for another season, Porpora, Rowe, and Naugle responded with a resounding yes.

As the pins fall and friendships grow, the Pal-Mac Red Raiders are proving that this new sport isn’t just about scores, it’s about trying something new, coming together, and making history.