Demons rallied for comebacks to knock off some of the state’s best
By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
Most in bowling don’t call it a “bowling alley.” The preferred nomenclature is “house.”
And the Burlington High School boys bowling team ruled the house March 1-2 in the Wisconsin High School Bowling Club State Championships at Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley.
The Demons rallied from behind in each of their matches in the semifinals and finals and won the Division 1 Boys/Coed team title. It is the Demons’ first state title in boys high school bowling.
“It was really cool,” Demons coach Jeff Albrecht said. “Our team battled. Those guys beat the two best teams in the whole thing.”
Albrecht said Oak Creek and Sun Prairie are considered to be the best high school bowling teams in Wisconsin.
The Demons beat Oak Creek 422-387 in the third-place match to advance to the title match.
Burlington beat Sun Prairie 411-404 for the state title.
The Demons beat Fond du Lac 403-380 in the fifth-place match and beat Menomonee Falls/Kettle Moraine/Wisconsin Lutheran 366-322 in the fourth-place match.
“Their drive and their ability were good,” Albrecht said. “They had such a drive to get it done.”
Albrecht is in his third season as head coach of the Demons varsity squad, and said he’s coached bowling for more than 30 years.
Burlington qualified for state after winning its district – District 3A. Albrecht said three teams from 3A advanced to state. Kenosha Bradford and Racine Park also qualified from District 3A.
Albrecht said the team’s season started in November. Team members practice on Tuesday, bowl in a league on Wednesday and practice again on Thursday. On Saturdays most also bowl in another league, and meets are typically on Sundays.
Meets are usually against two schools at a local bowling house within District 3A. Scoring is done through the Baker Format, which is a scoring style that places more emphasis on team performance.
Albrecht said he needs at least five bowlers for a game. Each bowler plays two frames. The match against the opponent lasts seven games. The first team to four gets the victory, but both teams continue to bowl through seven games.
In winning the state title the Burlington boys caught up to their female counterparts. The Burlington girls won the Division 2 state title in 2014. The Demons girls team finished fifth this season in Division 1.
Albrecht said the boys team will only lose two bowlers from this year’s squad, and said there is good talent on the junior varsity to fill-in.
The Demons also advanced to state last season, but Albrecht said it is not easy.
“The boys team made it in the past,” Albrecht said. “They’ve had some good bowlers in the past – it’s just not that easy to make it.”
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