Hard work really pays off

The hard work that Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn’s bowlers are putting in during practice continued to pay off last week, starting with a home meet against Sioux Central on Jan. 26.

The girls’ team was victorious, 2067-1573. Individual scores were Heather Elgersma 161-155, 316; Jordan Lux 156-138, 294; Keyanna Brower 144-139, 283; Annika Overmire 144-133, 277; and Lexi Croatt 129-124, 253. Baker game scores were 151, 117, 98, 135, 143 – 644.

“The girls’ practice and efforts at the meets are paying off. They have increased their single scores each meet,” Hawk coach Julia Meyer said. “The girls’ Baker game scores have been increasing, and they are working on getting them higher.”

The Hawk boys won handily, 2819-2123. Jack Mastbergen rolled games of 226 and 257 to finish with a 483 series. Other scores were Graham Lux 197-171, 368; Riley Russell 203-163, 366; Eli Mastbergen 215-150, 365; Damian Dodge 148-201, 349; and Skyler Shaffer 137-160, 297. Baker game scores were 163, 212, 180, 161, 172 – 888.

“The individual games gave them a good lead. I’d like to see a higher average per game in the Baker games, and the boys know that we’ll need that to compete and go to state again this year,” Meyer said.

She was also pleased with the results for the two JV squads. JV 1 results were Parker Russell 159-171, 330; Luke Dagel 171-148, 319; Brett Stoltz 168-147, 315; Owen Tifft 158-150, 308; Caleb Aaron 147-157, 304; Noah Niichel 166-114, 280; and Brennan Stoltz 140-102, 242. Baker game scores were 184, 169, 167, 168, 199 – 827.

Results for the JV 2 team were Braden Niichel 154-161, 315; Ryan Grotluschen 116-128, 244; Jackson Brower 141-100, 241; Moises Gonzalez 136-100, 236; Hector Diaz 114-99, 213; and Aiden Nitzel 67-86, 153. Baker scores were 135, 122, 107, 153, 133 – 650.

• Boys finish second at LeMars

The boys’ team competed in the LeMars Bowling Invitational on Jan. 27. With their individual pin total, the Hawks were in good position to be in contention. Despite having “ups and downs” during Baker games, H-M-S finished second overall.

Eli Mastbergen finished among the Top 6 in individual scoring and earned an all-tournament medal. He rolled games of 208 and 182 for a 390 series.

Other scores were Jack Mastbergen 211-178, 389; Damian Dodge 198-184, 382; Riley Russell 210-154, 364; Graham Lux 208-146, 354; and Caleb Aaron 153-190, 343. H-M-S’s Baker game scores were 153, 226, 131, 178, 174 – 862.

Team scores were LeMars 2983, H-M-S 2741, Council Bluffs Lewis Central 2736, OABCIG 2734, MMCRU 2638, Sioux Central 2180, West Sioux 2138 and Harlan 2118.

Meyer said the team scores indicate the importance of spare shooting and getting the most pins in each frame.

The H-M-S teams will take on OABCIG on Feb. 6 at Locomotion Lanes.