HannahCusick

Bowling

For the first time in Marian history, the Bowling team was represented at State by senior Ella Mandolfo. At Class A District Bowling, sophomore Jenna Blach placed eighth of 10 and Mandolfo placed fifth of 10. In order to qualify for State, bowlers had to place in the top five and Mandolfo said, “I was shocked that I made it.” 

The team was not expecting Blach and Mandolfo to place and Mandolfo was completely caught off guard when they called her name. “It’s kind of a funny story,” Mandolfo said. Coach Chris Dziadus walked in with news that they were going to announce the top 10 bowlers. They announced that Jenna Blach placed eigth. “We all ran out and were laughing. We couldn’t believe someone got in the top 10,” Mandolfo said. Nobody was expecting Mandolfo to be called seconds later. She had placed fifth which made her a state qualifier. Mr. D came up to me after we were one taking photos and asked ‘how did you do that?’ and I said ‘I don’t know.’”

Going into State, Mandolfo wasn’t nervous because she was ranked 60th out of 60 girls.“My goal was to place 59th or higher, and I ended up placing 25th of 60.” Looking back at her season, Mandolfo said, “I was happy that I went to State and happy that I was the first person from Marian to go so I forever have that record; nobody’s ever going to be the first person to go again.”

The team broke the season record series Marian holds with a 719 series. “At the beginning of the season I set small goals for myself, and I made most of them,” Mandolfo said.

Wrestling

Marian formed a Wrestling team last year, but they’re picking up more athletes and victories than imaginable. The Wrestling team qualified for State for the second time and was represented by their qualifiers senior Hillary Adovlo, sophomore Amaya McLaren and junior Martha Hinneh.

The team placed sixth out of 36 teams at Districts. Adovlo placed fourth, McLaren placed second and Hinneh placed second at Districts as well. 

State was held on Feb. 16 at the CHI Health Center. Adovlo lost the first and second days at State; McLaren won her first round and lost the second round on day one and day two. Both wrestlers had impressive and tough matches. 

Hinneh left State with a bronze medal hanging on her chest, placing third and making history for the Marian Wrestling team. 

Hinneh said, “Individually, I’m really proud of myself and my technique; I was able to get out of some really bad situations that I wouldn’t have been able to get out of last year.” 

The Wrestling team didn’t waste any time on training; at the end of last season, Hinneh said, “immediately we knew we were going to state.” She explained how the girls got “two weeks off then immediately we were in the weight room.”

The rest of the Wrestling team weren’t able to join the three qualifiers at State and Hinneh said, “I already missed the team and the atmosphere.” 

Wrestling season is not over for Hinneh yet. Coach Lauren Barefoot helped Hinneh get the opportunity to compete at the 2023 Girls Folkstyle National Championships on March 3-5 at Baxter Arena.