GIRLS BOWLING | Wolves finish fourth at state

Freshman was South Kitsap’s leading bowler during tournament

The boisterous environment that featured celebrations from participants and spectators was unsettling for the introverted individuals of South Kitsap’s girls bowling team.

Coach Marcy Morgon’s solution was to remove them from that environment.

Unlike many teams who stayed nearby at last week’s Class 4A state tournament at Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place, Morgon bused her team back to Port Orchard. She believes that worked well as the Wolves rebounded during the second day of the event to finish in fourth place with 6,930 points. Battle Ground (8,224) won the team championship.

“There’s so many noisy teams and they’re cheering,” Morgon said. “When you practice in a bowling alley and it’s a small team and it’s very quiet it’s night and day from when you go to these matches. About halfway through, I could see they were worn out.”

Returning home meant South bowlers had to wake up early, but Morgon thought it was worthwhile.

“They got that little reprieve,” she said. “Although they came in tired, I think they were less tired than if they had been around all of that noise, out to eat and all of that other stuff.”

Junior Sarah Layton has been the Wolves’ top scorer throughout the season, but Mae Jacobsen emerged as the team’s leader during the first day. She had 963 points through six games to place 33rd. Even though she is only a freshman, Morgon said Jacobsen is experienced as “she comes from a family of bowlers.”

Along with Jacobsen and Layton, Morgon expects to return junior Savannah Welch, sophomore Libby Morey and freshman Sarah Stolle. The team graduates Emily Novogradic and Sydney Jones, both of whom helped guide South to a Class 4A West Central District Tournament championship on Feb. 1.

“They’re all supportive of each other and they all seem to have pretty good friendships and relationships,” Morgon said. “This team bonded so nicely. It’s like a little family. I think that’s helped with their bowling.”

She also is hopeful that the program’s success can attract new bowlers.

“This is helping a lot because word is out that there actually is a bowling team,” Morgon said. “It just brings momentum and excitement.”