Jupiter High’s boys and girls bowling teams finished the 2021 year with a winning season.

The boys team had an outstanding season-ending as district champions and continued on to states. They placed 17, while the top 16 advanced to the second round. 

“We had a very successful season,” Richard Emery, one of the bowling coaches, said. “Jake Muller was the District Individual Champion and Justin Nowakowski was second. We were the District Champions, third place at the County Championship, and we qualified for the State Tournament.”

Nowakowski, a senior, has been on the team all four years of high school. He says senior year was his favorite.

“I’ve bowled ever since I was five. [I like] being able [to bowl] and either be competitive or just relax and have fun doing it,” Nowakowski said. 

Nowakowski is grateful for the opportunity to participate in states this year because of COVID-19 the previous year.

“It means so much [to go to states] because last year, the seniors on the team were doing well and never had the opportunity to prove it at states,” Nowakowski said. “ Caden Coffey, Christian Gorzynski and I wanted to try to go out with a bang, but it didn’t work out. I think we’re all still happy we ended up going.”

The girls team also had a strong season, coming up just short of the district finals. Breanna Grudinsky, a freshman, qualified individually for states and placed 39 out of 200 bowlers.

“[States] was very intense. There’s a lot of good bowlers around you and you have to stay in your zone,” Grudinsky said. “I still have a lot of improving to do and practicing for next year.”

Molly Dolan, a senior, joined the team this year and had an amazing time.

“It’s my senior year and I wanted to try something new. I like how it’s one of those sports that you can just join without any prior experience and have fun,” Dolan said. “It was the most fun season of any sport I have ever played.”

David Anderson, the girls bowling coach, loves to help the girls on and off the alley.

“I like watching all of them improve their bowling scores each week and I felt that I could bring motivation and knowledge to the team,” Anderson said.

Dolan believes a huge part of the winning season was because of the energy the team brought. 

“We definitely had the most energy out of any team in the entire district which is why I feel we were number one for most of the season,” Dolan said. “[Bowling] was so much fun and I encourage underclassmen to join the team and carry on our legacy.”