BY GABY MALANGA AND FRANK PAPEO
Assistant Sports Editors
For the first time in school history, the girls bowling team won the Greater Middlesex County Tournament. The team defeated fourth seed Woodbridge 2-1 to take the title. In addition, they have earned a spot in the NJSIAA State Tournament Sectionals and will send two bowlers, juniors Savannah Gomez and Madison Freudenberg to the NJSIAA State Individual Sectionals.
The girls bounced back from a disappointing 5-11-1 season last year to go 14-1-1 in the regular season and make history in the process. “It feels amazing, and I’m glad to have done it with a great group of girls,” Gomez mentioned.
After losing to Woodbridge twice in the regular season last year and being eliminated by them in the GMCs, the team got revenge in two dominant regular season wins and the victory in the GMC finals. “We worked so hard during the regular season to remain consistent with our victories that it was only fitting to end on the highest note possible with a GMC championship,” junior Gianna Blamer stated.
Tensions ran high heading into the GMC championship round. Each game was decided by less than 100 pins. In game one, Old Bridge came on top with an 818-802 victory. Woodbridge won game two 867-777, which meant the third game would determine the champion.
The team’s top-performer, Gomez, said, “The key to success this season was working together as a team and never giving up, even when we were down.” Fortunately, this proved true in the third game of the finals as the girls fell behind while watching a bowler on Woodbridge bowl strikes consistently.
Despite the rough start, the girls knew they needed to finish the job. “We fed off the crowd and we all just synced together and knew we could do this,” Blamer said.
The Knights won the third round 830-767, taking the conference title. “We rallied together and pushed through for the final win!” Gomez exclaimed.
With the GMC trophy in hand, the girls set their sights on the NJSIAA State Sectionals on February 18. The team got off to a slow start and fell behind the competition in the first game, and Alyssa Woodburn substituted in for her cousin, Blamer.
In game two Freudenberg bowled 234 while Madeline Hickel bowled 194 to help the team jump back into contention. Gomez, who bowled a team-best high game of 257 this season, got better with each game in sectionals, scoring 214, 228, and 238. She finished with the third highest individual score, earning her a spot in the NJSIAA State Individual Finals.
In the third game, Blamer subbed back in for Hickel who started to fade after the strong showing in game two. “We all feel proud and accomplished,” explained Blamer, who helped the team finish strong and qualify for a spot in the NJSIAA Sectional Finals on February 22.
Individually, Freudenberg joined Gomez in qualifying for the NJSIAA State Individual Finals. Unfortunately, the girls did not continue their success in the team or individual finals.
The team has high hopes for the future with every starter expected to return next year. proved she is going to be a problem in the future. “It feels great that I was able to be part of a team that achieved so much this year,” mentioned freshman Savanah Funk, who finished second on the team in regular season total points.
After making history this season, the squad has set high expectations for the future.
Posted on 2/27/23
Photos by Lors Photography
Junior Madeline Hickel, who rolled a high game of 203 this season, releases the ball and sends it down the lane. 
Junior Madison Freudenberg, who rolled a 234 in the second game of the NJSIAA Sectionals to help the team reach the finals and send her to NJSIAA Individual Finals, follows through after spinning her ball down the lane.
Knight Life 