As other students enjoyed a restful break, the Alley Cats were hard at work. The Saint Ignatius bowing squad stayed busy over Christmas break.
The Wildcats participated in a pair of tournaments over the holiday season. First, the Alley Cats competed in the Jingle Bell Bowl on Sunday, December 18. Then, the keglers took part in the Edward Zitnik Memorial Classic on Wednesday, December 28.
The Alley Cats fared quite well, building upon other impressive early season performances.
Here is the full recap, courtesy of head bowling coach Jim Viets:
"The varsity bowlers have been in two tournaments during this Christmas break. First we traveled out to Wickliffe for Mentor's Jingle Bell Bowl tournament. Led by Sophmore Vinny Doran 255, 658 series and Seniors Devin Venczel 257, 650 series and Nick Frank 257, 644, the Alley Cats finished a very respectable second place. Berea/Midpark rode a nice 1108 first game for the win, which proved to be to much of a gap as we chased them all day.
"On Wednesday after Christmas, the Varsity Keglers went out to Hubbard, Ohio for Edward Zitnik Memorial Classic. The format for this tournament was to bowl 2 regular games and then bowl 5 baker games. After the first round was completed the top six teams would advance to round two. This round would require teams to bowl 10 baker games. Total pin fall after the 10 baker games would determine the winner. With the roster of Vinny Doran, Joe Johnson, Devin Venczel, Nick Frank, Anthony Doran and Kevin Ward, the Alley Cats advanced to round two and ended up in third place. The winning team was from Erie, Pa; Commodore Perry and second place went to Liberty High School. Rounding out the top six were, Hubbard High School (4th), Tallmadge High School (5th) and St. Ed's (6th).
"Through 3 tournaments, Nick Frank is averaging 213 with Vinny Doran at 207 and Devin Venczel at 198. The Alley Cats have finished fourth in the Eagle Challenge, second in Mentor's tournament and third in Hubbard's tournament as they prepare their games for the upcoming sectional tournament next month.
"If you would like to come out and cheer on these guys, you can see them every Saturday morning competing in the GCIBL league. The next three tournaments will be on Monday January 16th at the Game of Wickliffe at 10:00 for the Brush Arc Invitational. Sunday January 22nd in Mt. Vernon, Ohio for the Highland High School Invitational Tournament at 10:30. Sunday January 29th at Cloverleaf Lanes for Cleveland Heights's Black and Gold Sectional warm up."