Manchester High School Adds Bowling as Club Sport

On May 18th, incoming high school student, Eli Lobbestael stood in front of the school board and presented the case for adding a new club sport to the high school roster. A month later, while sitting respectfully with fellow students and supporters Eli watched as the board voted unanimously to the addition of bowling as Manchester's newest club sport.

Eli began bowling 4 years ago with the youth league at Maplewood Lanes in Saline. While participating with the youth league, he became aware that bowling was a high school sport at many of the surrounding schools. As his passion for bowling grew, he became concerned that the high school he would soon be attending was the only school in the Cascades Conference without a bowling team. With the help of his mother, Lori Lobbestael, and supporters Tracy & Becky Sheats, he gathered information, worked with the athletic director and high school principal, and finally presented the proposal to the board.

Eli Lobbestael

Try-outs are November 16th, 17th, and 18th, with the season running December-March. The team will find its schedule competitive, playing against teams from surrounding counties and participating in the MHSAA tournament at the end of the season. As an equal opportunity sport, bowling is a great addition to the school. Depending on interest, teams can be divided by gender or co-ed. There are many active youth leagues in the surrounding area from which to gather players and eight students have already shown interest.

Students will need to purchase their uniforms, and can use their own equipment. But lack of equipment should not be considered a block to participation as that can be provided by the bowling lanes to students who need it. The cost to participate is around $300, with most of the cost going to pay for lane fees. Team organizers don't want the potential cost to detour interested students and are confident through fundraising and local sponsors much of the cost will be offset.

Coaches Tracy Sheats and Chris Strong have volunteered their involvement while the team finds its feet. Students interested in playing and others who may be interested in sponsoring this new club sport should contact Becky Sheats at beckysheats38@gmail.com.

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by Danielle Muntz

Danielle lives in Manchester Township and has many interests which she takes part in with varying degrees of success. She can be reached at Danielle.Does.Stuff@gmail.com.