Juggling act
BUTLER TWP — Only five can be in the lineup at a time in a high school bowling match.
For the first time in program history, Butler’s varsity boys bowling team has qualified six for the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League (WPIBL) Individual Championships next week at North Versailles. A bowler must roll at least 21 games (out of 30 scheduled) to qualify.
“We’ve qualified six girls in a season twice before,” Butler coach Bob Cupp said. “That was a little bit different because it was clear who they would be. This year’s situation with the boys was much more challenging because our roster runs so deep.”
Eric Devore, a junior, led the section this season with a 208 average. That ranks ninth in the entire league. He earned a guaranteed berth in the regional tournament as a result of leading the section. Fellow junior Rocco Rice is averaging 200 this year and senior Brock Hepler is at 192.
Juniors Alex Ekas (190), Marty Imhof (188) and Luke Keene (186) round out the Golden Tornado’s six individual qualifiers on the boys side. Four Butler girls — Natalie Coughenour, Harley Kriess, Kelsee McConnell and Makenzie Zimmerman — will also compete at the WPIBL Individual Championships in Belle Vernon next week.
Both Butler squads will compete in the league’s team championship tournament this week at Mt. Lebanon Lanes. The boys team event is Wednesday, the girls Thursday.
"It’s been tricky this year keeping the entire boys team engaged and into this,“ Cupp said. ”On the other hand, everybody in the lineup has stayed sharp because there’s always somebody pushing them.“
Hepler said Butler’s boys “have had to stay on our toes since there’s always someone looking to take your spot.”
Zach Kniess is averaging 178 and Joe Panian 172 for the Tornado boys. John Wilbert, a senior, averages 170 and rolled a 267 in a recent game.
“Joe has bowled above 180 every time we put him in the varsity lineup,” Cupp said. “But there’s only so many opportunities available.”
In trying to get Imhof enough games to qualify, Cupp emphasized to him that “you have to bowl well enough so I can keep sending you out there. He responded with three straight series above 600. He’s been red-hot down the stretch.”
Devore, Rice and Hepler are part of bowling families.
“Everyone in my family bowls,” Devore said. “I pretty much grew up in the bowling alley. I’ve been bowling for 13 years.”
Hepler’s father, Jim, is one of the assistant coaches for Butler’s high school team.
“Whenever I do something wrong, he’s always there to correct me,” Brock said of his father. “That’s been a plus. I’ve always been competitive with my sister (Autumn, a Butler graduate now bowling in college). My family has helped me improve my game over the years.”
Rice said he’s fine with sharing varsity time on the lanes with his teammates.
“I’ve never had a problem with it,” he said. “Everyone deserves his shot. With a team as deep in talent as ours is, you have to share.”
Devore agreed.
“When we’re on the lanes, it’s all business,” Devore said. “When we’re off the lanes, we’re always helping and supporting each other. We have each other’s backs and that’s a good feeling.”
