By Warren Rappleyea
Old Bridge High School’s boys’ bowling team features a talented cast of returning players as it looks to improve upon the 5-10-1 mark it posted a year ago.
The Knights went 11-4-1 in 2014-15 but were unable to get untracked last winter. Despite a 3-1 loss to Piscataway Township High School Dec. 1 in the season-opener at Carolier Lanes, Old Bridge coach Theresa Fischetti has plenty to be optimistic about.
Senior Doug Titmas, who rolled a 632 series that included games of 229 and 210 pins against Piscataway, is back for his fourth year with the program. Titmas averaged 191 pins to lead the team last season and posted series of 660 and 655 pins, respectively, last winter.
Juniors Gerard Chidichimo and Peter Mattson add additional experience as they enter their third varsity campaigns. Chidichimo was second on the team with a 188-pin average with several 600-plus series to his credit. He posted a 649 series in the loss to Piscataway. Mattson ended strong, running up three 600-plus series over his final four outings to end up with a 182-pin average.
Sophomores Jason Young and Kevin Malone are coming off solid first seasons. Young averaged more than 160 pins, while Malone averaged 150 pins with a high game of 242 pins. Junior Shane Liptak is also back, and Fischetti has welcomed three freshmen into the program, including Trevor Chachalis, who rolled a game in the opener.
“We think we can make our mark in the [Greater Middlesex Conference], and I expect the team to get better as the season progresses,” the coach said. “We have a lot of good, experienced bowlers. That’s always a plus.”
Old Bridge’s girls, meanwhile, will feature a youthful lineup as they look to better last winter’s total of two wins. The Lady Knights are off to a good start, having bested Piscataway, 3-1. Haven Traverzo led the Lady Knights with a 374-pin series, while Grace Bucca rolled a 363 series.
Junior Stephanie Sanders averaged 160 pins to lead the team a year ago and recorded a handful of 200 games, including a 209 against Perth Amboy High School. Traverzo averaged 131 pins as a freshman and should be better this time around. Bucca also showed promise last year.
Other members of the team include senior Valerie Moore, junior Cidney Lee Sam and sophomores Kaitlyn Cuisinier and Madison Kennedy.
