N-W bowlers have high expectations

by Eric Keppeler
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, December 14, 2006

Niagara-Wheatfield bowling coach Mike Nucci says that he’s aiming high this season. And after losing just one member of his talented boys team to graduation and returning all of the members of his girls team, the Falcons just might have the horses to attain those lofty goals.

The N-W boys team went a solid 8-6 last season in the Niagara Frontier League, good for fourth place behind Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda and Lewiston-Porter. The Falcons went on to sectionals, where the team placed seventh.

Now, most of them are back and they’re looking for more.

“I definitely think we have one of the best boys teams in the league,” said Nucci, entering his fourth year as Falcons coach. “We have a lot of experience. All of these guys have been with me for at least three years now, and we have very good depth. A lot of the kids on the bench could probably start for other teams. Our top eight guys are all over 200 right now.”

All of his top six are back from last year, led by a pair of league all-stars, as senior Brandon Smith and sophomore Joe Klis both earned Second Team All-NFL honors. Smith rolled a 300-795 last year during league play and wound up with a team-best 208 average. Klis was right behind at 205.

Also back are juniors Vinny Ciffa (200), Adam Mulholland (193) and Andy Donner (189), along with freshman Charlie Bifano (187). Donner and Bifano, in particular, are off to fast starts this season, averaging 215 and 205, respectively, through three matches.

The girls also are balanced and talented, but they have the poor fortune of playing in the same league as perennial state contender Lockport. The Falcons went 7-7 last year to finish fifth in the NFL, but that was good enough to advance to sectionals, where they shined and finished in third place.

The girls also welcome back a pair of league all-stars as senior Sarah Hillman made the Second Team and junior Marisa delValle made the third team. Hillman had a team-high 181 average, while delValle was second at 175.

Also returning are senior Ashley Turri (160) and sophomores Crystal Gravelle (171), Kayla Hillman (158) and Sara Smyth (153).

“The girls are solid, although we don’t have as much depth as the boys have,” Nucci said. “Lockport is clearly better than everybody else, but I think the gap between us is narrowing. I think second place will come down to us and North Tonawanda.”

Team goals aside, Nucci also has high hopes for some of his bowlers as individuals. The top team at sectionals advances to the state meet, along with the next seven best individuals.

Nucci hopes that can include a few Falcons.

“The goal is to get to sectionals and then do the best we can do,” he said. “For the girls, Sarah and Marisa have a good shot of moving on to states, and just about all of the boys do. In fact, we think the boys can win sectionals as a team and then all go to states. We have the capability. We just have to get hot at the right time.”