The Men’s and women’s bowling teams competed in the Heart Bowling Championships on Feb. 24 and 25 in Topeka, Kan. at Gage Center Bowl. Both the men’s and women’s team finished in fourth place at the championship tournaments.
Prior to the Heart Championships, senior Kinsey Miller received the women’s Heart Bowler of the Year, making it five straight bowler of the year’s for women’s bowling. For the men’s team, sophomore Josh King received 2nd team all conference honors, obtaining that accolade in back to back seasons.
Aidan Van Metre, a junior currently, will be coming up on his senior year and season in the fall, and he is very excited and optimistic. There are some slight nerves with getting a new coaching staff his senior year. He has full confidence in Head Coach Cheryl Kesler and the Baker Athletic program that they will find the best fit for the program here. Van Metre said he has
“It’s has all gone by really fast, but I’m looking forward to my senior season next year and what’s in store for the team” Van Metre said.”I have full confidence in the coaching staff that they will find the perfect fit for our team [in the upcoming season].”
Sophomore Audrey Valdez had a mix of emotions going into the conference tournament this past weekend.
“I’m more excited than nervous right now, the stakes are high because of our past winning history. Winning the championship title for 5 years straight would be a great accomplishment for our team.” Valdez said.
The women’s team has won the past four Heart of America conference championships and were looking to get their fifth straight this year. With being such a young team, and only returning two bowlers who were on the team last year, the stakes were indeed high.
The bowling teams coaching staff, which includes head coach Cheryl Kesler and assistant coaches Gerry Kesler and Bob Heifner, all announced their retirements after this season. Cheryl Kesler, has been at Baker for 14 years as the bowling coach alongside the assistants.
“Baker Has been so good to me, but I knew it was time to retire,” Kesler said. “Everyone said I would know and feel when it was time to retire.”
This will be the first time in the past four years that neither the boys or girls team will be going to the NAIA National tournament. This was saddening to Kesler at first, but having a young team and still being ranked 38th in the country, she couldn’t be upset. Having a team who buys into the program makes Kesler more happy than the wins and accolades.
“I tell the kids that the spot is not yours, it your job to work to keep it and not my job to give it to you,” Kesler said.
Knowing her team keeps this in mind, she is able to have bowlers who work hard to earn and keep their spot. Having hard working players makes for a great team atmosphere that is like one big family. Kesler hopes that the new coaching staff will keep the best interest of the kids and create the same type of family environment.
The teams will travel to Fort Worth, Texas March 9-10 for the USBC ITC Sectionals to finish off the season.
