By J1 reporter Matilda Lang

Senior Audrey Van Dyke releases her ball in a recent competition on Jan. 12 at Maplewood Lanes. Photo by Matilda Lang 

Something special about Marian sports is the community of friendship the sport provides. Athletes get the opportunity to work with all grade levels, challenge each other, encourage one another, and build core high school memories. 

Bringing its way to Marian, bowling has recently become an NSAA sanctioned sport. Marian completed its first season in the 2020-21 school year. The current Marian team consists of 12 girls and is coached by history teacher Mr. Chris Dzidarus. Bowling is considered a winter sport and utilizes Maplewood Lanes off of 101st street as its home alley. The team has both a varsity and a junior varsity team. 

Sophomore Emma Koch said, “I decided to try out because I heard that we had a bowling team and really wanted to try it.” She said, “I also had a lot of free time and thought bowling would be fun. I was definitely nervous for tryouts. I really thought I wasn’t going to make it.” 

As one of the three sophomores on the team, Koch has had the opportunity to meet a lot of upperclassmen. “So far my favorite part is meeting all the people on the team and learning more about bowling.

As senior Audrey Van Dyke completes her second year on the team, she will definitely miss the supportive atmosphere. “One big thing I am going to miss about bowling is the duals. It is so much fun to compete with the whole team and we are constantly hyping each other up.” Van Dyke said she will also miss what she would describe as a fun and lighthearted team dynamic. 

The Bowling Team is down to the final competitions until they can qualify for state. Districts begin on Jan. 31 and run through Feb. 3.