Franklin Regional boys bowlers set to contend for third straight WPIBL title

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 8, 2018 | 1:18 AM

Spend any length of time around the Franklin Regional boys bowling team, and one wouldn’t even guess the Panthers are the two-time defending Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League champions.

The Panthers aren’t impressed with their recent success because they want more.

“They don’t talk about last year as much as you would think,” said coach Gwen Richards, who is in her ninth season coaching the Panthers. “They’re on to a new season and things have changed.”

Things might change from year to year, but the standard of winning that has been put in place over the last few seasons has not. The Panthers got off to a great start to the 2018-19 season last Wednesday with a resounding 7-0 sweep over Greensburg Central Catholic on the road.

The boys team finished the 2017-18 season with a 9-1 record and tied for first place with Plum. The Panthers split the two regular-season East Section meetings with the Mustangs.

The friendly rivalry with Plum is no more. Franklin Regional was moved into the Southeast Section and will face, in addition to the Centurions, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Penn-Trafford and Yough.

“It’s a different dynamic this year,” Richards said. “Since we’re in a new section, we’re still trying to figure that out. It’s going to be interesting to see how the other teams are doing this year. I’m very confident in the group that we have.”

While some teams have a tool shed of bowlers who coaches can turn to, Franklin Regional has a big-box store of talented bowlers. The Panthers have a whooping 23 boys on the roster this season.

Junior Alex Smith and his 195 average will anchor the Panthers. A three-year starter, Smith moved from the No. 1 spot last season to the team’s most high profile spot at No. 5.

Senior Jack Strobel (187) opened the season at the No. 4 position. Strobel, a four-year starter, bowled a team-high 814 series in the win over Greensburg Central Catholic.

“He’s doing really well, and we’re expecting a lot from him,” Richards said.

Senior Zach Jackson (180) moves from being an alternate last season to starting at the No. 3 spot. Junior Graham Klemstine (179), a first-year starter, will get the nod at the No. 2 spot. This is Klemstine’s third year with the team. Richards likes Klemstine’s production on the road.

“I would say that Graham is really good when we go to other houses because he is able to control his ball really well,” Richards said.

With the boys team winning back-to-back WPIBL titles and reaching the 2018 state semifinals, Richards said the girls team is eager to get in on the fun.

“I think it’s hard for them to be watching the boys do so well the last few years,” Richards said. “They’d like to close the gap and do a little bit better than they did last year.”

The girls team finished fourth in the East Section with a 5-5 record last season. Franklin Regional has a chance to reach the WPIBL girls postseason bracket this year. The Panthers return four starters. The girls team also knocked off the Centurions with a clean sweep last week.

Franklin Regional will be led by senior Kenna Gray (168) at the anchor spot. A four-year starter, Gray has served as the Panthers’ captain the last two seasons.

“She’s not only a great bowler but she has wonderful sportsmanship,” Richards said.

Junior Alaina Jenkins (175), a three-year starter, will occupy the No. 4 spot in the order. Freshman Sarah Robinson (145) will bowl from the third spot, followed by senior three-year starter Faye Metzger (140). Richards said both Robinson and Metzger throw a great balls.

Junior Corinne Mazurek (120) will bowl from the No. 1 spot. Alternates include juniors Alexa Petrucci (120) and Rachel Kochanowski (105) and freshman Bella Battaglia.

“With Kenna and Faye being seniors, they would like to get some kind of title under their belt,” Richards said. “They have set some goals.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional