Al Post has reason to be excited about the St. Louis boys bowling team this season. It’s started strong, 2-0 in the conference and 6-0 overall, and it has a chance to do very well in the state tournament.
The team average is 994.
“That’s pretty good for Division 4,” Post said. “We’re an experienced team. We took second at the Battle of the Bakers at Battle Creek. That’s like a Division 1 and 2 tournament for Bakers. We took second in the Owosso tournament, and we were the only Division 4 team in that, too. Not trying to brag, but this is an exceptional group, probably the best I’ve had in the nine years I’ve been coaching.”
Post has three seniors in Chris Adams, Bobby Church, and Conner Pilmore.
“Conner has really come along,” Post said. “He’s been a bowler since he was a sophomore. His game has grown immensely. He can break the lanes down mentally, where he really couldn’t before. It truly comes from a lot of hard work. The starting five made it to the semifinals last year, and they all return this year. From the time we got back last year until now, they’ve worked on their game. They’ve been out here at the bowling alley [300 Bowl] bowling all summer, working on their game.
“Conner has been huge. He’s been the driving force behind it. He’s got the guys together. If I’m out there and they’re bowling, he helps out. He’s gone beyond expectations for a high school bowler.”
Adams is averaging 204 and Church 198.
“They’ve come along and made it so far last year and saw what it was and have been determined to get back there,” Post said.
Also back are juniors Jeff Fisher and Zack Fenby. “They’ve been on the varsity since they were sophomores,” Post said. “They’ve come along great. The big thing with our team is they’ve learned spares are a central part of our game. Once they get rolling, they’re hard to stop. We cover our spares.
“They drive through the tough spots, cover their spares, and keep pushing and pushing. They take off and accelerate. When they do that, they explode. They really learn how to break down the lanes. That’s because of their dedication, basically. They’re the most dedicated team I’ve had. I’ve had some good ones. In 2011, we went to the finals and got beat in the finals.”
Winning it all is a definite goal.
“You do want to take it one match at a time,” Post said. “But for us, to not make a serious run with this team would be a big letdown. We have all the experience in the world. Their first year there, they went to the final eight and got beat. It’s our year to make a run. For a Division 4 team, they’re phenomenal. Other coaches have said that, too.”