Pictured are members of the Pioneer boys bowling squad. They are from left, front row, Daniel Jones, Drew Damron, Dom Dellapina, John Jordan, Jacob Allen and Jaiden Henderson; second row, coach Mike Walter, Yannik Regele, DJ Whiting, Seth Jenkins, Levi Honigford and head coach Rusty Walter. Not pictured, Matt McMillen and Andrew Glass. (Photo submitted)
Jonathan Alder’s girls bowling team is pictured from left, front row, Ella Cameron, Jenise Jordan, and Taylor Heineman; second row, Daisy Henderson, Haley Henderson, Danielle Phipps and Trisha Lennex; third row, head coach Mike Walter, Karlie Gavula, Trisha Hall, Shea Huntington and coach Rusty Walter. Not pictured, Satavia Kempton, Kadie Walter, Kenlee Monnin, Macie Lane and Jalyn Moore. (Photo submitted)
Jonathan Alder bowling coach Rusty Walter says he’s excited about the 2021-22 season.
As well he should be.
Both the boys and girls teams are returning lettermen from successful campaigns last winter.
The Pioneer boys posted a 17-2 regular season record and captured top honors in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Kenton Trail Division.
The Lady Pioneers went 16-2 and were co-champs (with Bellefontaine) of the CBC.
The girls won the Division I sectional crown, placed second during district competition and 11th during the state tournament.
Seniors Levi Honigford, John Jordan, Matt McMillan and Dominic Dellapina return as the boys look to defend the difficult league title.
All of them are returning lettermen and are looking to help lead two newcomers in freshmen Jaiden Henderson and Drew Damron.
“I look for John (first-team CBC honors) and Levi (second team) to have a strong senior seasons, along with McMillan and Dellapina,” said Walter. “Both freshmen have potential to make a big impact as the season goes forward.”
Walter said the boys’ goals are to defend the CBC championship and advance back to D-I state tournament.
“The Division I district is very good, with a lot of good teams including Marysville, Marion Harding and Olentangy Liberty,” said Walter.
The Lady Pioneers have six returning lettermen and four seniors.
Seniors Kadie Walter, Satavia Kempton, Shea Huntington and Jenise Jordan return, as do two-handed specialist junior Danielle Phipps and senior Karlie Gavula.
Junior Hailey Henderson and sophomore Daisy Henderson round out the varsity team.
“Danielle Phipps has worked extremely hard on her bowling this off-season bowling in USBC Youth Scholarship tournaments all across the Tri-State area,” said Walter. “She is becoming the best bowler on our team, boy or girl, and is a great leader for our program.
“Kadie Walter and Danielle return as first-team all-CBC last season, with Satavia Kempton earning second team and Shea Huntington on the third team.”
The Lady Pioneers’ goals are win the difficult CBC Kenton Trail Division, battle defending state champion Gahanna-Lincoln for sectional and district titles and make a run for a state crown.