While the Ankeny girls’ bowling team returns most of its varsity bowlers from last season, the boys’ squad isn’t as fortunate.
The Hawkettes return four of the top six bowlers from a team that posted a 2-9 record, including a 1-5 mark in the CIML Conference. Seniors Savannah Dye and Kali Ogg are back along with juniors Brooklyn Dietz and Olivia Harris.
The boys’ team, meanwhile, returns just one varsity bowler. Junior Gavin Johnston is the lone returnee from a squad that posted records of 0-6 and 0-11.
“We have six boys on varsity, six JV boys and seven varsity girls,” said second-year Ankeny coach Nick Payton. “Our girls’ team does have quite a bit of experience, and I think that this year we have a lot of potential to shake up the CIML. We finished close in many matches last year, and the girls are ready to put it all together this year.”
Harris was the top scorer for the girls’ team at 10 of the 13 meets last season. She posted a 310 average for a two-game series, highlighted by a season-high score of 382 in a non-conference win over Greene County.
Harris posted a high game of 204. She bowled a three-game series of 499 to place eighth at the conference meet for the second straight year.
This will be Ogg’s fourth year on the varsity. She was the team’s top scorer at three meets a year ago and placed second on the squad with a 280 average.
Ogg bowled a high game of 197 and had a 326 series in a loss to Southeast Polk. She later led the team with a three-game series of 481 in a Class 3A regional meet at Cedar Falls.
Dye placed fourth on the team with a 241 average. She bowled a 261 series in a loss to Waukee.
Dietz posted a 230 average and had a season-high series of 285 during a dual meet against Johnston, when Ankeny posted a season-high total of 2,108 but was beaten by 13 pins. She had a 244 total in the Hawkettes’ lone conference win against Dowling Catholic, which came by a score of 2,088 to 1,805.
“Right now our goals are to get better each week and continue to master our skills,” Payton said. “We do have high expectations this year and continue to strive to compete for conference and districts to earn a spot at state.”
Johnston will be expected to lead the way for the boys’ team. He placed third on the squad last year with a 349 average.
Johnston bowled a high game of 235. He led the Hawks with a 390 series in a loss to Clarke (Osceola).
Johnston placed 11th at the conference meet with a three-game series of 617. He then followed with another strong performance at the state qualifying meet, where he posted a 582 total.
“I believe Gavin has the potential to be a good leader, but we have a lot of bowlers who have stepped up and improved their game over the summer,” Payton said. “Most importantly, we have great team chemistry that will propel us this season. We have a freshman bowler, Kobie Backus, who has earned his spot on varsity, and our most improved bowlers are young guys such as Sebastian Cook and George Inman. Our senior, Joel Hansen, will continue to have an important role on the team, especially with his positive attitude. I expect strong leadership to come from him.”
The Ankeny teams will open their season on Dec. 5 with a conference dual meet against Urbandale at Merle Hay Lanes.
