CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - On Thursday, Jan. 23, the bowling teams traveled to Cortandt Lanes and completed the 2024-25 season. A complement of four, the girls' loss to North Salem left the year on an even keel.
“It was a good, solid season," said Coach Paul Plutzker, “we finished around 500.”
The numbers aside, the eye test matters most.
“Improvement,” he said, “That’s all we’re looking for.”
Grading on the curve, a freshman probably had the biggest jump. Sky Corradino went from 105 to 127 and knew where to attribute the leap.
“I got a new ball and worked a lot over the summer,” said the John Jay Wolf.
In accordance, her dad was in her corner helping with the hook.
“The curve makes your throw more accurate,” she said. “When you’re trying to hit two pins, it’s easier to hit from the side.”
Chloe Zhu, on the other hand, is still more straight on, but her upswing from 90 to 111 is more about physics. Mass times acceleration, a heavier ball hits the pins harder, and a little stronger this year, she’s better suited to the heavier weight class.
Her game isn’t the only thing that has seen an evolution, though.
“It took me some time to warm up to being part of a sports team,” said the senior. “But I’m glad I got to meet everyone because we get along well.”
Sara Martinez agrees.
“Everyone is nice and fun,” said the Wolf.
Second year on the team, her bowling upgrade from 85 to 116 is all about the approach.
“The way I walk up is different,” said Martinez.
This has her aiming to set down as many as she can.
“I just try to keep beating my high score,” she clarified her game day goal.
Kayleigh Plutzker achieved that overall but not by a wide enough margin. Just below 100 to 103, the senior said, “I’m a little disappointed.”
Still she added the curveball to her repertoire, and even if the numbers don’t bear out as well as she wanted, the technique still makes for a good look.
“A hook is 100% cooler,” joked Plutzker.
So is the time spent.
“I’ve enjoyed meeting people and bonding with my dad,” she said.
Her career over, West Conn awaits the Brewster Bear where she plans to study Social Work. Not so for Nick Maiorana, he’s got another year to go and has made strides. Going from 119 to 150, the junior can count the improvement on two fingers. The ring and the middle in the ball,” he said, “I started throwing the curve.”
He’s become party to the geometry too.
“When you come in at an angle, you have more pins in line with the ball,” he said.
A series total of 455 made the point and not only made him a winner but the team. He was the only healthy Wolf to make the match and that’s all Peekskill had too. Maiorana won easily, but short of the 180 qualifying requirement for the sectionals, he already has his sights set on reaching the mark.
“I’m looking for a summer league,” he concluded the season.
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