By J1 Reporter Sophie Golka

Marian is home to many sports. You can find girls rocking the courts in the gym, or on the fields down by Soph Lot. One team that you will not spot practicing on Marian turf, however, is the bowling team.

This group of 13 players and one team manager practices and competes in bowling alleys throughout the city. Their practices happen at Mockingbird Lanes at 96th and Mockingbird Drive or Maplewood Lanes on 102nd and Maple, depending on availability. These girls get an email once a week from their coach, Mr. Chris Dziadus, detailing where they will be for each practice. 

Although the team does not have lanes on the Marian campus, they still have home lanes at Maplewood for competitions. Because they compete outside the school building, it can be challenging for fans to attend. “Some do, not many though, because they’re all during the school day, or like 2:30. It’s hard for girls to get there unless they come right after school and then they are going to be late,” Madison Schnell, a junior on the team, said. 

Even for the team, getting to practices can be difficult. Luckily, they have a good routine and even made it a time to bond with each other. “Everyone carpools. Freshmen and sophomores ride with juniors and seniors,” Schnell said. 

The team has one senior, four juniors, seven sophomores and one freshman bowler and one freshman manager. 

Even though not having practices at school can be tough, the bowling team has turned it into a fun time for all involved.

Their first match at Maplewood Lanes is on Dec. 9 followed by seven other competitions there and at places such as Elkhorn, Millard and Lincoln. Their one match at Mockingbird Lanes is on Jan. 20.