By Eilley Wannarka

Bellbrook is excited to announce the launch of its very first bowling team, offering students a fresh new opportunity to learn new skills and compete with friends and teammates.

Whether the student looking to join is a beginner or experienced, bowling is open to all Bellbrook High School students this winter for those who are interested.

Currently, there are approximately 35 boys and girls enrolled in FinalForms. There are no tryouts required, and all skill sets are welcome.

“I’ve been doing explicitly running sports my whole life and I thought I’d try something new,” Bellbrook high school senior and future bowling team member Caden Fromm said.

The idea for the bowling team was inspired by growing students’ interest in alternative sports and expanding the field of extracurricular activities in the Bellbrook community. 

“It’s something fun, something to try out this winter,” Fromm said. “If people have nothing to do this winter, it’s something to look into if you’re interested.”

This coming season, the team will have 17 matches and three tournaments. The matches will consist of bowling two games as individuals, then two “baker” or team games.

But who’s coaching? Eric Wagner, a competitive bowler since 2005, will coach this year. Wagner has been coaching competitive bowling teams from 2014-2023, and has recently come back to coaching after an injury put his coaching career on pause.

“It got me excited to come back and put my full effort into making this a successful program that the community and the school would love,” Wagner said.

“My motive is to have fun. With a lot of sports you do for a short period of time, but like golf, bowling is a lifelong sport that anyone can do,” Wagner said. “To get the kids out and have fun, enjoy themselves, and get competitive juices flowing is a good thing.”

Beyond competition, the new bowling team’s goal is to foster a better sense of community within Bellbrook.

Parents and supporters are encouraged to attend matches, so be sure to support our bowling team at our home center, Beaver-vu Bowling Alley, this winter.

If students are interested in joining, sign up through FinalForms, and if students have any questions, contact Coach Wagner through hsbowling@bss.k12.oh.us.