Eagles should compete with state’s elite teams
New coach hopes to maintain winning tradition
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

EDISON — After a sixth-place finish at the annual Bishop Ahr Classic, the Edison High School girls bowling team opened the new season with a decisive win over Hunterdon Central.

With a victory over Old Bridge and losses to East Brunswick and Woodbridge, the team heads into this week’s action at 2-2.

“The team is hanging around 2,400 pretty consistently,” Edison first-year head coach Tracy Smith said. “It’s been a while since we could do that.”

Smith assumed head coaching duties after longtime coach Ken Bjornsen retired after last season.

“Ken wanted to hand the reins to me after we worked together last season,” Smith said. “It’s been a pretty smooth transition so far.”

The improvement of senior Stephanie Borwegen could account for the smooth transition. Borwegen’s average of 147 is already up eight pins from last season.

“She’s a true leader that’s always there when you need her,” Smith said. “She’s been such a good role model for the younger athletes.”

Junior Samantha McDowell is another of the team’s anchors, with a 163 average after a week of competition.

“Samantha throws a good ball,” Smith said. “She’s another one that leads by example.”

Sophomores Meredith Matthews and Courtney Valeriani are off to noteworthy starts as well, with 143 and 147 averages, respectively.

“Meredith worked extremely hard in the summer to improve her skills,” Smith said. “She’s been doing very well as my leadoff and she’s always upbeat and open-minded.”

Valeriani joined the team midway through last season and has been a great addition ever since.

“She’s consistently coming through for us in the ninth and 10th frames,” Smith said. “She’s shown tremendous improvement and she keeps getting better.”

A pair of freshmen in Jessica Shaw and Catherine Rotolo has Smith excited for the future of Edison bowling. Shaw is holding steady with a respectable 142 average while Rotolo currently leads all Eagles with a 187 average.

“Both girls are still young and learning,” Smith said. “I’m very confident in starting and using Jessica, and I think she has a very nice future ahead of her.”

Rotolo, an avid bowler since the age of 8, not only has a bright future, but her present situation looks rather promising as well.

“She’s quiet and confident, but very consistent,” Smith said. “Every game she shows me something new.”

The Eagles will compete this weekend in the first Bakers Tournament at Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick. Carteret and Old Bridge are hosting the event, which will be an annual event and will model the format of the state finals.

“We stacked up pretty well at the Bishop Ahr Classic against the other Red Division teams,” Smith said. “We’re looking forward to the Bakers Tournament and seeing how we match up against other area teams.”