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West Delaware aims to accomplish boys’ bowling state tournament goal in 2025
Hawks won Wamac tournament last year, now want to take the next step in the postseason
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The West Delaware boys’ bowling team accomplished almost everything it set out to last year.
In early January, the Hawks placed fourth in the Louisa-Muscatine tournament’s field of 16. Three weeks later, an impressive showing at the Independence Baker Team tournament netted the Hawks a sixth-place finish (of 18).
And two weeks after that, West Delaware won a highly competitive Wamac Conference tournament.
Just one goal eluded them.
“Last year’s team, we did everything but get to state,” West Delaware Coach Bob Morris said. “We just missed state because we ran into the state champion, Maquoketa. So, getting to state sometimes is about the draw where you’re at.”
West Delaware finished second in the Class 1A District 4 state qualifying meet on Feb. 13.
So, what will it take for the 2024-25 Hawks to reach state for the eighth time in program history?
It starts with attitude.
“I don't want them to be those kids that, when they're good, they're having fun — but when they're bad, they're pouting in the corner,” Morris said. “They understand that you've got to get through that. That's part of bowling. And that comes with maturity.”
Speaking of maturity, this iteration of the Hawks has plenty of it. West Delaware returns seven bowlers with varsity experience, including state-qualifying senior Brady Hartke.
“Brady will be more of that leader,” Morris said. “He’s a four-year starter.”
Hartke’s embraced the leadership role, taking the reigns from last year’s top bowler, Louis Shontz, who’s now bowling at Wartburg College.
“They (teammates) all come to me and ask questions, because sometimes coach isn’t able to help six people at once,” Hartke said. “It’s always nice to have someone around that knows what to say and how to help them.”
Jase Turnis, Izak Hernandez and Parker Peterson also are seniors who’ll play key roles for the Hawks.
“What they (the seniors) bring is that calmness when we’re on the lanes, especially on the road,” Morris said. “When these younger kids get out there and suddenly what they’ve been practicing isn’t there, because maybe the lanes are too dry or oily, these guys have been through that experience.
“They don’t get too shook and it kind of takes everyone’s nerves down a little.”
Morris also has high expectations for sophomore holdovers John Wickman, Hayden Tucker and Ethan Sellers.
“Where our strength is, is in those three sophomores,” Morris said. “They get out and bowl a lot of different houses and bowl Junior Gold. They’re kind of our core.”
Despite the two-year class gap, the seniors and sophomores have gelled nicely.
“I would say this group is a little more tight-knit,” Morris said.
“We all know each other personally,” Hartke said. “I think we all have good, honest chemistry as a team, and I think we just want to win this year.”
What’s it going to take for West Delaware to reach its pinnacle?
“The biggest thing is not looking at the other team’s scores and focusing on doing the absolute best we can,” Hartke said.
“We have a long way to go between now and then (state qualifying meet),” Morris said. “One of our traditions of all the good teams is you bowl your best at the end of the year.”
West Delaware opens its season Dec. 2 at Independence.
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