The road to Lansing

ROGERS CITY, Mich. – The Rogers City boys and girls bowling teams have returned to action. This marks the first week back as they prepare for the upcoming season. Even though the bowling season will be short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the expectations are very high for both teams.

Starting with the boys, there’s a new look to this squad as a few seniors graduated from last year. In 2020, the Hurons placed first overall in regionals where they easily punched their ticket to Lansing. A week after that, they placed seventh overall in the state tournament. One of those returning bowlers from last year is Justic Watson. Last season, he rolled the highest game in the Northern Michigan Bowling Conference with a 279, while averaging a 185. Now with this new team coming together to prepare for a short season, they know they need to work together as a team if they want to head back to Lansing.

“We have to develop these kids in a hurry,” said head coach Brian Bannasch. “We’re going to be bowling fewer matches this season, but that’s our expectation to bowl in the state finals in March.”

On the other side, the girls have a lot of returning bowlers from last year and will also look to head back to Lansing. Last year, the Hurons placed 17th overall in the state tournament. One of those returning bowlers that looks to help the Hurons is Chandra Ganske. Last season, she averaged a 162. With a short bowling season that’s now underway, the key for Ganske is to stay consistent.

“I want to stay consistent and would like to keep my average up,” said Ganske. “I just want to stay at the top where I was from last year.”

Both teams will bowl their first match in Harbor Springs against Petoskey on Feb. 6.