Penn College Bowling Team Looks to Freshmen for Help

With only four returnees, the Pennsylvania College of Technology bowling team will rely on help from a large group of freshmen for its continued success.

Tim McMahon and Steve Eckman, both sophomores from Williamsport; Kelli Fazekas, a senior from Easton, and Lisa Ulrich, a sophomore from Wyalusing, are the Wildcats' returnees.

Probable starters in Wednesday's 3 p.m. season opener at the Central Penn Tournament will be freshmen Brandon Hendricks (Shikellamy), Eric Kochersperger (Central Bucks South), Ben Zech (West York) and Paul Coco (Medford, N.J.) on the No. 1 men's open team; Eckman and freshmen Andrew Hurst (West York), Andrew Parsons (Islip, N.Y.) and Brian Thaler (Altoona) on the No. 2 men's open squad; and Fazekas, Ulrich, McMahon and Chuck Lines (Oriskany Central, N.Y.) on the co-ed team.

Fazekas and freshman Erika Banzhaf (Williamsport) will start the season as alternates, but could work their way into the starting lineup.

"Going into the last practice, five of the men on our team are averaging 200 and two others are bowling above 190, so that looks like our strength," said Lisa Worth, who is in her eighth season as coach.

"That's just practice, however. Going into tournaments, they'll be bowling on different lanes and competing against other schools,"she continued.

Entering Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference play, Worth said, "All three of our teams really have a chance, because, in the past, our No. 1 open team that looks strongest (early on) turns out to be the No. 2 team. It really depends on how well they do when they go to the tournaments."

The last two postseasons have been especially good for Penn College bowlers as they've captured several state titles. A year ago, Fazekas and Janelle Badger won their second-straight Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association women's doubles title, Sean Garczynski took the men's all-events crown and Garczynski, McMahon, Jason Tolley, Jarret Walter, Paul Kenney and Jon Miglin won the men's team championship.

Of that group, only McMahon is still with the team and eligible for the postseason (Fazekas can compete during the regular season, but has no eligibility remaining for the PCAA playoffs), but Worth thinks the potential is there for more gold.

"I think we can do just as well or better. Our male bowlers, at this time (in the season), are averaging a lot better than our team did last year. We have six or eight bowlers who can help carry our team,"she said.

Worth said the strength of her women in the PCAA championships, which again will be held at Faxon Lanes in Loyalsock Township, may be in individual competition rather than in team events.

"We're looking to compete very well, to have a couple of state champions and just have a good season," Worth concluded.