While the COVID-19 outbreak shortened their post season, Highland’s bowling team had much to celebrate this past season. Overall, the girls team finished their regular season with a 9-5 record, while the boys finished their campaign 11-3.

Coach Peter Foreman’s squad placed eight players on the Section 9 All Star team, that, unfortunately, never had the opportunity to compete in state competition.

“While only losing one non-starter to graduation, the Highland boys bowling team is hoping to return next season stronger than ever. On the other hand, three of the five starters for Highland girls are graduating, leaving Coach Foreman to find more bowlers.

For the boys, Highland brought out Gavin Landry, Luke Munson, Devin York, Lenny Casabura and Ryan Coleman.

“I have made a lot of improvement since last year,” Coleman said. “I boosted my average by about 30 to 40 pins. All together, I’ve just been performing a lot better than last season.”

Coleman bowled a 212 in a late season game against Saugerties.

“[My usual average is] like 191-195,” Coleman continued.

The girls team was led by Olivia CrimiVaroli, Becca Brooker, Olivia Casabura, Brooke Harris and Izzy Gaylord on the line.

Casabura is a freshman for Highland and has been on varsity since seventh grade, but her experience didn’t begin there.

“I bowled when I was little but then I stopped because I did dance, but I started bowling in fifth grade again” she said.

Casabura’s average is around 150-160, which she surpassed in her game one score of 171 in the loss to Saugerties.

“I didn’t do as well as I would like to,” she said. “I could have obviously done better if I didn’t miss my spares and all that. But, I try to keep a positive attitude when I’m bowling just to keep everyone upbeat.”

“We had a great year. I didn’t think we would do that well for the boys and, you know, 11-3 is pretty good,” Foreman said. “The girls had a good year too, so it was a pretty good first year in my opinion. Hopefully next year we’ll do a little better for the boys and I’m hoping we can find some girls that know how to bowl at Highland.”