Vinton-Shellsburg takes aim at another successful bowling season

Vinton-Shellsburg battled through the ruckus.

In fact, the Vikings boys’ bowling team thrived in it.

The tension felt between each throw — the roaring of the crowd following every strike …

No moment was too big for Vinton-Shellsburg during last season’s Class 1A state tournament in Waterloo.

The result: A championship match appearance and a state runner-up finish.

“If you get a chance to go to the state bowling tournament, it is really something to see,” Vinton-Shellsburg Coach Amber Pattee said. “There is so much excitement and so much chaos at the same time. You know, I get so wrapped up in the excitement that it's really hard for me to say what worked and didn't work at any given moment.

“But the team, they never lost focus. Even when they lost in the end, we took the other team (Maquoketa) to the final game. We took them all the way out.”

Vann Lessig, the Vikings’ top bowler and a second-team all-stater in 2022-23, echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“We really focused on not messing around, we were just straight to the game,” Lessig said. “We just pushed through and motivated each other.

“If we build on what we did last year, I see our team being just as strong. So, I definitely see us having high expectations for state — maybe even being the champion.”

Lessig is one of the two top bowlers returning to the lanes for Vinton-Shellsburg. The other is sophomore Byron Christianson, who finished second on the team in score per game (207.56) to Lessig’s 209.39.

“It’s very important to have that experience coming back, as well as the camaraderie” Pattee said. “Our team is very close knit for the boys. That's what makes us successful.”

The Vikings will, however, have to replace two key bowlers in Alex Funk and Eli Page.

Fortunately, the program has plenty of depth.

“We lost two spots, but we have a freshman (Jackob Becker) who’s on varsity that is right up there with Byron and Vann,” Pattee said.

Becker is averaging 190.75 through three meets.

“And then we have several others that will fill that spot as needed,” Pattee said. “We’re full of extra bowlers that will help our team — we actually have 40.”

Vinton-Shellsburg has started 3-0 and is averaging 3,027 pins per match, good for 11th among all classes and second in 1A.

“I'm very, very happy with the start of our season,” Pattee said.

So, what’s the key to the 2023-24 Vikings’ continued success?

“During bracket play and the qualifying within the state tournament, that whole process, my team did not lose focus,” Pattee said. “And it’s something I think the team has this year as well.”

“Focus is a main key to our team success,” Lessig said. “Everybody stays on topic.”