Marion boys’ bowling team looks primed for postseason success

MARION — Shaffer and the sophomores.

It’s been a winning combination for the Marion boys’ bowling team all season.

The Wolves, led by senior Jacob Shaffer, took home first place in Saturday’s 18-team (all classes) Independence Baker Tournament at Cadillac XBC in Waterloo.

“They knew after the beginning that they had an uphill battle, but they handled the pressure well,” third-year Marion coach Ashley Bys said. “They improved as the day went on and worked their way up to fifth after 15 baker games. Then they ran the bracket to come out champions.”

Marion’s been impressive all season with Class 2A’s eighth-highest team average (2,880.33) — this, despite Shaffer being the only upperclassman on the varsity roster.

Bys attributes much of the team’s success not only to Shaffer’s individual performance, but his willingness to mentor his younger teammates.

“Both this year and last year, he’s (Shaffer) been a big-time leader on the team,” Bys said. “He leads the team through stretches, through drills — I have him model some of the drills for the other ‘two-handers’ because I'm not a two-handed bowler.

“He does a lot to show them how to do things and provides feedback, which helps me a lot since I’m the only coach.”

Individually, Shaffer is fourth in 2A averaging 227.60 per game.

With the experience the sophomore class had last year as freshmen, he believes this team is primed to succeed in the postseason.

“Last year was kind of our big development year because we had an influx of freshmen come in,” Shaffer said. “So, this year I think there’s a good chance that we have the ability to win the Wamac and possibly qualify for state, if we just really dial it up and put our heads towards it.”

While Shaffer’s mentorship has undoubtedly been a significant factor in Marion’s success, the sophomores deserve plenty of their own credit.

“This sophomore class, when they were freshmen, some of them found themselves on varsity and they were pretty new to the sport,” Bys said. “Many of them were very interested in taking it seriously, and they’ve recruited even more friends to come out this year.

“It's really been a lot of them going out practicing on their own outside of the team practices. They go to some tournaments and things and bowl together during open hours at the Center (Cedar Rapids Bowling Center).”

Cole Angell is second on the team in average (207.80) behind Shaffer. The other varsity sophomores include Jameson Turner (193.20), Michael Mitchell (177.50), Jayce Gersdorf (166.25) and Avery Core (161.70).

“Cole Angell started last year as a freshman and we hit it right off from the start,” Shaffer said. “We started bowling together and through that we've developed a really good friendship outside of bowling. So just having him by my side really helps.”

The depth and work ethic of the sophomore class, combined with Shaffer’s top-level scores, make reaching the state bowling tournament well within the realm of possibilities — one of Shaffer’s goals.

The other is to qualify for state as an individual — something he did not have the opportunity to do last year.

“I was on a big family vacation last year during state qualifying, so I was unable to go to state,” Shaffer said. “I really want to make state and at least get into the top three this year. That’d be a big goal for me.”

Shaffer and Wolves will have three meets to prepare for postseason play before the Wamac Conference tournament on Feb. 9.

“Last year’s team was pretty good, but we were missing Jacob at the postseason,” Bys said. “This year, the kids are expecting themselves to make it to state because they look at those stats and know they're right up there at the top.”