Penn College Bowlers Seek Continued Success, Open Tuesday

During Deb Vincenzes' first four seasons as coach of the coed bowling team at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the Wildcats have excelled. They expect more of the same this year.

"We expect to do well within the conference. We have a lot of returning bowlers, and, actually, we have quite a few returning members from the second-place state team from last year. States is looking fairly nice, too, especially with the experience that I have returning," Vincenzes said on the eve of the squad's Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference opener Tuesday at Faxon Lanes in Loyalsock Township.

"The men are in good shape, but the women may even be in better shape than ever. They all are very good, very seasoned. They've come out of high school programs and they're used to bowling in tournaments. It's the first super-solid women's team that we've had in a long time," the coach added.

On that squad are returnee Caitlin Wagner (Northumberland) and newcomers Leann Folk (Paxtonville), Joselyn Remphrey (Middleburg), Rebecca Rudy (Lancaster) and Brianne Burkland (Danville). Also expected to join the team next semester is veteran Evelyn Furman (Montoursville).

"Some of these girls competed against each other in their high school programs and know each other already. I'm feeling really good about them coming together," Vincenzes said, noting that they average in the 190s, which, she added, "is excellent for the conference that we are in."

On the men's side are several key returnees, but one newcomer expected to add "a lot of excitement," according to the coach, is Owen Darby (Easton), a transfer student from Northampton County Community College.

"We bowled against him last year at states. "¦ and he killed us. He just bowled fantastic. There's no stopping him," Vincenzes said of Darby, who averages 220. "When he's on, he's very on. When he's on, he's pretty amazing." Due to eligibility, Darby only can compete with the team in conference matches, but not in the season-ending Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association championships.

Joining him will be returnees Merle Burkhart Jr. (Lancaster), Wesley Moyer (Fleetwood), Aaron Smith (Waynesboro), Paul Bouchard (Montoursville), Tyler Weaver (Catawissa), Peter Stuut (Radnor), Ian Hickey (Middleburg), Derek Hoover (Pleasant Gap), Mike Cefalo (Exeter), Travis Rupert (Lock Haven) and newcomers Michael Rietski Jr. (Latrobe), David Stacey Jr. (Dingsman Ferry), Marcus Bowles (Long Branch, N.J.), Jason Perch (Blakeslee), John Pillsbury (Dover, Del.) and Eric Kennedy (Lewistown).

"I rostered 17 men and only 13 will participate in each match," Vincenzes said. "There will be three teams of four and I take an extra person along just in case somebody gets hurt or sick."

The coach said averages of men expected to compete regularly range from 184 to 220, with the others from the 140s to 160s.