By Wayne Witkowski
Winning division championships has become customary for outstanding senior bowler Brianna Biesiada and her New Egypt High School’s girls bowling team.
The Warriors won their third straight Burlington County Scholastic League Freedom Division championship, finishing with an 8-0-2 league record. New Egypt is 12-3-2 overall, losing to Ewing High School as well as Burlington Township High School and Pemberton High School early in the season, which helped prepare the girls for the division run. The team also beat Northern Burlington County Regional High School, 3-1, to help prepare for the division competition.
Biesiada averaged a team-best 161 at the anchor spot with a 210 high game and has the rare distinction of leading three straight division champions along with fellow seniors Gabby Medina at the leadoff spot and Maggie Witham at the No. 4 spot. Both are averaging 128.
“The girls were on a mission for three straight division championships,” coach Dago Pinol said. “They’ve also finished in second place in the [NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group I] section three years in a row and are looking to win it.”
That takes place Feb. 4 at Laurel Lanes in Maple Shade. New Egypt has beaten six of its last seven opponents. It tied division opponents Holy Cross High School and Maple Shade High School and beat both teams later in the season.
“Brianna bowled consistently well all season and has drawn a lot of interest from colleges,” Pinol said. “She always tries to help her teammates.”
Ellie Witham, Maggie’s sophomore sister, averages 131 bowling in the No. 3 spot in the lineup. Four other girls have shared playing in the No. 2 spot, including sophomores Hannah Downs and Meghan Hammer and freshmen Libby Witham and Gabby Biesiada. The latter two are younger sisters of regulars in the starting lineup.
The boys, who will bowl in the sectionals at the same lanes Feb. 11, finished their regular season 6-11.
“They bowled well at times and had a problem all season with consistency,” said Pinol, who also coaches the boys’ team.
Dylan Weicberger, a junior, led the boys with a 183 average. Freshman Mike Curtis followed with a 165 average. Junior Luke Fennimore and senior Clayton Mann rounded out the regulars in the lineup with averages of 138 and 136, respectively.
