GI bowlers win Class B title at Section VI finals

Grand Island Dispatch, March 10, 2006

Grand Island Vikings Girls Varsity Bowling coach Craig Davis (left) and bowlers Krista Moran (middle) and Tory Eldridge display the Section VI, Class B championship trophy. The 2006 squad became the first bowling team in the school’s history to capture a sectional tournament title. (photo by Barbie Lare)

For the first time in school history, the Grand Island Vikings Girls Varsity Bowling team ended its season with a first-place finish among Class B schools in the Section VI tournament, held on Feb. 28 at Thruway Lanes. Overall, the team finished in a very respectable place in the tournament standings.

After the three-game morning session, the Vikings found themselves in third place with a total pin fall of 2,661, trailing the eventual Section VI and Class A champion, Lockport, and the eventual second-place Class A school, Frontier.

Grand Island was paced by co-captain Krista Moran and Jessica Coughlin. A senior, Moran recorded a 590-pin three-game set. Coughlin, a junior, registered a total of 582 pins in her three-game set. Junior Stephanie Cope chipped in a 204-pin game, while sophomore Tory Eldridge help out with a 194-pin game.

The Vikings entered the afternoon session with a seemingly commanding lead of 170 pins over the second-placed Class B school, Maryvale. Following the second game of the three-game set, however, Grand Island’s advantage dwindled down to a scant 16 pins. Furthermore, the Vikings found themselves in a tie with Niagara-Wheatfield, a Class A school, for third overall in the tournament standings.

After some inspiring words and a strong performance by co-captain Chrissy Ray, a senior, the Vikings bowled their best game of the afternoon to capture a 70-pin lead over Maryvale and the Class B championship. The team, however, slipped to fourth overall as Niagara-Wheatfield continued its excellent afternoon of bowling.

Freshman Nicole Serra also bowled for Grand Island. She also added plenty of emotional support to the team.

First-year Vikings bowling coach Craig Davis said he was very pleased with the team’s mental toughness and hopes that this year’s championship will be the first of many more to come.