BHS bowlers headed to club state championships

By Jennifer Eisenbart
STAFF WRITER
Like many club teams that compete around the state of Wisconsin, the Burlington High School bowling squads have to work hard for any publicity they get.
Or, as one of the team members so succinctly put it, if they want any attention for their accomplishments, it’s best that they submit the information directly for the school announcements.
Still, as most of the WIAA winter sports begin to wrap, two squads from BHS will be where most area WIAA teams only dream – competing for a shot at a state title this weekend.
Competition will be held at Dale’s Weston Lanes in Schofield – a suburb of Wausau – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with single competition Friday and Sunday, and team competition all three days.
Burlington’s boys squad of Casey Ahler, Zach Chernouski, Ethan Witterholt, Cody Lamarr, Forrest Block, Josh Hall, Jordan Hintz and Dalton Yurske and the girls squad of Elisabeth Kramer, Kelsi Harris, Robyn Conrad, Tabetha Stephens, Megan Schmidt, Amanda McGrew, Tiffany Block, Rachel Briggs, Hanna Witterholt and Hanna Hayes will all compete.
Kramer also earned a spot as an individual qualifier and will compete in Friday’s singles event.
It is the first time in the program’s history that both teams qualified. Last year, the girls finished eighth at state.
Theresa Riemer, the general manager at Towne and Country Lanes in Burlington – BHS’s home bowling center – said the two teams qualified out of what is generally regarded as the toughest region in the state.
As a result, the two teams have high expectations – and history to back them up.
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The team is an interesting mix of long-time bowlers and newcomers. While both Kramer and Hintz had been in the sport since they were really young, others have picked it up in high school.
Riemer said that more than 20 high schoolers have come out for the team.
“It’s grown up immensely,” said explained.
Kramer said the sport has helped her come out of her shell.
“I was really shy,” said Kramer when she first started bowling at age seven.
By the time she reached sixth grade, Kramer knew she had found her niche.
“I found something I was actually finally good at,” Kramer said.
Riemer said the lack of support for the bowling team is frustrating, especially given how well other club sports – specifically, BHS trapshooting – have done and get recognized in the community.
“I can’t answer that question,” Riemer said when asked why something like trapshooting gets attention and bowling does. “I’m not in the schools.”
Still, while the fame might not be there, it is clear the team has expectations.
“Obviously I hope we win – or at least do well,” said Hintz, who followed his father into bowling. “We want to be competitive.”