Wally Schneider has coached a boys’ bowling team this season at Ithaca that has pulled off some impressive accomplishments. The top one occurred at the Division 4 state finals on Feb. 28 at M-66 Lanes in Battle Creek.
Ithaca advanced to the finals against Jonesville and fell 1,153-1094. But the Jackets stll brought home a runner-up trophy. Contributing for Ithaca in the finals were Blake Gulick at 151, Jared Baublit at 156, Kaeden Greer at 167, donal Carl at 137 and Joe Whittaker at 172.
February was quite a month for Ithac.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, at Riverwood Lanes in Mount Pleasant, the Yellowjackets had an outstanding performance. “In our first Peterson game against Alma, the boys shot a 1,292 game, which is the highest game ever shot by a Division 4 school and the third highest game ever shot in MHSAA history,” Schneider said. “Joe Whitaker shot 300 during the game, and Kaeden Greer carried a possible 300 into the 10th frame before settling for a 277. Donald Carl shot 247 and Jared Baublitz 236 and Blake Gulick 232.
“Everything went right. All five guys were hitting so well. They were all throwing a lot of strikes. It was a great day, a really fun day. It was an amazing thing to be a part of.”
Carl, Greer, and Whitaker are seniors, while Baublitz and Gulick are sophomores. Baublitz started out with the junior varsity and was moved up to the varsity during the season.
The Yellowjackets finished second in the Tri-Valley West with an 8-2 record. Both losses came to St. Louis. Overall, Ithaca was 15-2.
“The boys are bowling really well,” Schneider said. “It’s not always the same person. It’s important that our big guys are hitting. But we’ve had times when those guys aren’t necessarily right on. Someone else comes up to fill that void. It’s been an amazing season.”
The intensive rivalry between Ithaca and St. Louis has continued onto the bowling lanes.
“It’s always been a great rivalry,” Schneider said. “I’ve been doing this for 11 years. St. Louis coach’ has been Al Post or his brother basically that period of time. It’s always been tough between the two of us. We’ve always battled, it seems like every year.
“We get along well with each other. It’s been a lot of fun. It’s always back and forth between those two teams. We and St. Louis have always been tight. I’m sure there’s been a year or two where one of the teams has been up or down. It’s not very often. We’re both usually there.”
Ithaca has been in the top six of the final Division 4 state standings a couple of times. In February, Ithaca competed in the entire Tri-Valley Conference meet and took second in that tournament behind Caro. Several Class B schools participated.
“It’s pretty competitive,” said nine-year bowling coach Al Post of St. Louis, referring to the rivalry with Ithaca. “Ithaca and us always seem to butt heads.”
St. Louis advanced to the state quarterfinals but lost to Sandusky 1,209-1,208.
The previous week at regiojnals, Ithaca was first, Hemlock second and St. Louis third.
It’s the type of rivalry that seems to bring out the best between the two teams.
“Their only loss was to us,” Post said. “They wanted to win. We had a good match, and we happened to win it.”
Geographically, the two schools are close, and they are competitive in the conference and in the postseason.
“The kids all know each other pretty well,” Post said. “It’s a very respected rivalry, I will say that. It might not have been a few years back. But now, it’s a very respectable rivalry. Both programs are so strong now. We both want to beat each other bad. Wally has a great program, so do we.”