HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Saints bowlers work on getting better

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By Morgan Breitbach, Xavier junior

CEDAR RAPIDS - Ask any team in any sport what their goal is and a majority of them will tell you improvement.

That's exactly what the Xavier boys' and girls' bowling teams are doing.

Just last year, the boys ended the season at 2-9. This year, they have yet to lose a meet and sit at a 7-0 record. Despite a low number of girls, the Saints steadily improve each match.

Both teams are excited for the rest of the season.'The team has really gotten close,' junior Brett Young. 'We are always helping each other when we begin to struggle.'

The Saints rank in the Top 20 in the state for match score average at 2,945.3. That's an improvement over last year's average of 2,909.8.

'We are improving at practice and at meets, and we are fixing bad habits we have to get better,' Young said.

The Saints beat Prairie Jan. 3, their first meet back from break, 2959 to 2885. Senior Zach Klimesh had the high series of 419 and senior Zach Schnoebelen had the game high for the Saints with a 242. The Xavier boys took on Washington at Lancer Lanes on Jan. 10 and won 2831 to 2621. Young had the game high of 234, and junior Caleb Miller had the series high of 410.

'It's just been fun learning new ways to get better at our bowling games,' Young said.

Despite their deceptive 0-7 record, the girls' team continues to improve from game to game. With the addition of senior Katie O'Brien, the Saints are now able to field a full varsity roster. O'Brien had a series high of 310 at her first meet back on Jan. 10.The Saints are battling Jefferson today at May City Bowl.