Dodger girls, Anderson ready for state meet
Class 2A?bowling competition takes over the lanes in Waterloo
WATERLOO — Nick Vinson didn’t want the state streak to end in his first season as Fort Dodge bowling coach.
The Dodgers made sure to come through for their new head coach.
Vinson, who took over the program that Don Ervin coached for 14 years, helped guide Fort Dodge to their 11th straight tournament.
“This is a great group of kids to work with,” Vinson said. “This has been a great group for me and no different than any other I’ve coached … it’s just a different sport. It has been great to keep the program’s streak alive. It’s great for our bowling community to get back to state.
The Dodger girls will compete for a Class 2A state trophy after a one-year hiatus. Both teams qualified in 2017.
Meanwhile, sophomore Kaleb Anderson is back for a repeat performance.
“These six young ladies and Kaleb all have worked hard to get here. It’s nice to be able to achieve their goals,” Vinson said. “I think Rod (Riessen, assistant coach) and I have gelled well with this group. We all work together and have been able to connect and that makes a difference.
“They know we care and that. We want what’s best for them.”
Action begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo.
The girls secured the No. 4 seed after placing second at a district meet in Le Mars with a team total of 2,690). Anderson was a district runner-up individually.
“The girls have been outstanding all year long. They just keep getting better,” Vinson said. “They up their scores every meet.”
At districts, junior Kat Flores led the Dodgers with a 370. Classmate Jenna Lee had a 359, and freshman Alexis Kenney and junior Leah Sanck checked in with 355s.
Senior Mackenzie Sharpe (341) and freshman Lexi Hanson (315) also helped the Dodgers advance.
Fort Dodge finished 13-2 on the season and claimed the CIML Iowa Conference regular season girls’ championship.
Joining the Class 2A team competition will be Le Mars, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson, Maquoketa, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Clinton, Keokuk and Waterloo East. East is tops in the field with a 2,757 team average. Next in line is LeMars (2,747), Clinton (2,595), Keokuk (2,499), Maquoketa (2,498) and Fort Dodge (2,489).
Waterloo East (179) has the highest bakers average. Fort Dodge (166) is the fourth, behind Clinton (174) and LeMars (173).
Of the qualified teams, Sanck has the third highest average at 191. She carries a series average of 382.
Sanck has a high game of 259 and high series of 448. Kenney enters with a 174 average and 349 series average.
“Leah was (at state) the last time we competed. She’s been her at the top of the team for the past three years,” Vinson said. “She’s pretty calm, and has helped take the team under her wing.
“It’s cool to see Makenzie go as a senior and earn that experience.”
Series averages for the Dodgers are Flores (312), Lee (311), Sharpe (291) and Hanson (275).
Anderson had a strong showing at the district meet after a slow start for the boys. He fired a 192 in the opening game, but rebounded with a strong 279. He hit 11 strikes in the game.
Anderson’s only miss was in the fifth frame when he hit a solid nine, but he still finished with a spare.
“Kaleb has been bowling a lot better and working hard to find his mark,” Vinson said. “Once he finds his mark he stays on it. He’s working really hard to stay consistent.”
On the season, Anderson carries a 414 series average. His 279 game and 471 series at districts were season bests.
Last season at state, Anderson finished 18th. He shot a 176-234 for a 410 total.
“Kaleb knows what it (state) takes,” Vinson said. “The moment won’t get to big for him. He’ll take care of business.”