Comets boy bowlers remain undefeated, CC girls record season-best score in sweep of Mustangs

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — If a casting call agency ever needs to scout for new acting talent, they might think about having a “roll call” at a bowling center.

There, they’ll likely screen a wide range of theatrical emotions performed on a platform stage — or rather approach — especially if the keglers are having the type of night that borders either on comedy or tragedy.

The Charles City boys bowling team displayed its acting chops — especially whenever chopping a 6-pin off a 10-pin — while negotiating an off evening during Tuesday’s home dual meet against Independence at Comet Bowl.

But even though the Comets compiled their second lowest team score of the season (2,732), it was more than 300 pins better than the Mustangs, allowing the undefeated CC boys to improve to 6-0.

The reviews for the Comet girls team were a little better. After dropping their first meet of the season a week and a half ago to Decorah by 40 pins, the CC girls compiled their best team score of the season (2,362) while pulling away from the Mustangs by way of a 100-pin better Baker Rotation round after the match was still in the balance with the Comets leading by just 110 pins through the Individual Round.

Charles City sophomore Claire Girkin matched her season-high with a 372 two-game series to pace all the female rollers.

Senior Sofia Nelson (336), senior Ragan Hintgen (302), junior Natalie White (284) and junior Aliya Elsbury, who recorded career-highs in game (164) and series (276) rounded out the scoring for the Comets.

Charles City senior Jackson Cook rolled personal season-highs in game (210) and series (398) while leading the Comet boys.

Senior Cael Bohlen had a 384 series that included a meet-high 212 game.

Senior Dillan Ross rolled a 373 series, senior Tyrell Baglan made his varsity debut this season with a 368 series, and senior Landon Luft rolled a 339 series to round out the scoring for the Comets.

Charles City’s boys had a 192-pin lead going into the Bakers, but as if to make things more dramatic, opened in four of the first five frames in the first game.

The Comets eventually recorded a 144 in the first game which they followed with another 144 in the second game. They did finish the Bakers strong with scores of 202 and 201 in the fourth and fifth games with Bohlen striking out and then doubling with a third-ball 8-count in the respective 10th frames to get Charles City over 200.

Ethan Gonzalez (373) and Emma Gonzalez (361) were the respective high boy and girl bowlers for the Mustangs.

Charles City will host Tripoli at Comet Bowl on Friday (Jan. 21) at 4 p.m. for the program’s “Senior Night”, which was originally scheduled for the Jan. 14 home meet against Waverly-Shell Rock that was postponed.

The Comets will make up the meet against the Go-Hawks on Monday (Jan. 24) at Comet Bowl.