MONROE - The term "dynasty' is often associated with teams that routinely achieve success at the highest level. And for the Monroe High School bowling team, a growing list of accomplishments in only the third year of the program might soon pave the way for such a characterization.
Comprised of some of the area's most talented bowlers, the Monroe bowling squad will make its second consecutive appearance at the state championships that start Friday, Feb. 28 in Green Bay. In qualifying for state last year, the Cheesemakers return many familiar faces who will once again compete against the state's top bowlers for the right to bring home the gold.
Upon making the trip to the Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, coach Brittany Svendsen and her team are not only looking to build off of their successful season - they want to enjoy the whole process.
"We want to have a lot of fun and be able to grow together as a team," Svendsen said. "The state tournament is a great opportunity for our players to come together and do just that."
The Cheesemakers compete in District 3B and play against teams in the Janesville area. After tying Janesville Parker for the district crown last year, the Cheesemakers were able to win the conference outright after an unblemished 10-0 record this season.
"I am very proud of all the players on our team for the season they had this year by being able to go undefeated, win conference, and qualify for state," Svendsen said.
Although the path to a successful season was her team's ultimate goal, it didn't come without challenges.
"We have team goals that we want to accomplish every year, but one moment that stood out for us was against Janesville Craig," Svendsen added. "Our match points were tied going into the match and we were able to pull out the win and take the conference lead."
And as in any other sport, it takes a team of talented players to compete and be successful at the highest level. En route to an undefeated season, the Cheesemakers averaged a 10-frame score of 180 in team competition, while also having individual members play exceptionally well on the individual circuit.
Players participating in team play for Monroe this season were seniors Mark Jenson and Alex Kloepping, junior Trevor Hasse, sophomores Larissa Ethridge and Ryan Stoneback, as well as freshmen Trace Ermey, Devon Boeck and Kody Althaus. Both Ethridge and Ermey will also compete for individual state titles.
"Larissa and Trace both had great years and were a big part of our team's success this season," Svendsen said. "Larissa finished at the top of the conference this year for girls, while Trace finished second overall for the varsity boys fill percentage."
In addition to earning state berths in team and individual competition, Ethridge, Ermey and Hasse also qualified to bowl at the All-Star tournament challenge.
As talented as the group is collectively, each individual player must invest a lot of time, money and effort in perfecting his or her craft.
"Our players put a lot of hard work and dedication into practicing year-round and making themselves better athletes," Svendsen said.
Multiple players on the team participate in numerous leagues, matches throughout the week and on weekends, all while adhering to a routine practice schedule. On top of that, the players may spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars in buying the necessary equipment. But as hectic as it may seem, players on the Monroe squad get it done and manage to go the extra distance by squeezing in extra practice sessions.
"A lot of the players will come in on their own time to get more practice and work on their spare shooting and being able to consistently throw good shots," Svendsen said. "They see from year to year the success they have been able to accomplish and they only want to get better and perform better. They have a drive to want to take their game to the next level, and I think that these are the biggest reasons as to why our players have seen so much success in such a small period."
Comprised of some of the area's most talented bowlers, the Monroe bowling squad will make its second consecutive appearance at the state championships that start Friday, Feb. 28 in Green Bay. In qualifying for state last year, the Cheesemakers return many familiar faces who will once again compete against the state's top bowlers for the right to bring home the gold.
Upon making the trip to the Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, coach Brittany Svendsen and her team are not only looking to build off of their successful season - they want to enjoy the whole process.
"We want to have a lot of fun and be able to grow together as a team," Svendsen said. "The state tournament is a great opportunity for our players to come together and do just that."
The Cheesemakers compete in District 3B and play against teams in the Janesville area. After tying Janesville Parker for the district crown last year, the Cheesemakers were able to win the conference outright after an unblemished 10-0 record this season.
"I am very proud of all the players on our team for the season they had this year by being able to go undefeated, win conference, and qualify for state," Svendsen said.
Although the path to a successful season was her team's ultimate goal, it didn't come without challenges.
"We have team goals that we want to accomplish every year, but one moment that stood out for us was against Janesville Craig," Svendsen added. "Our match points were tied going into the match and we were able to pull out the win and take the conference lead."
And as in any other sport, it takes a team of talented players to compete and be successful at the highest level. En route to an undefeated season, the Cheesemakers averaged a 10-frame score of 180 in team competition, while also having individual members play exceptionally well on the individual circuit.
Players participating in team play for Monroe this season were seniors Mark Jenson and Alex Kloepping, junior Trevor Hasse, sophomores Larissa Ethridge and Ryan Stoneback, as well as freshmen Trace Ermey, Devon Boeck and Kody Althaus. Both Ethridge and Ermey will also compete for individual state titles.
"Larissa and Trace both had great years and were a big part of our team's success this season," Svendsen said. "Larissa finished at the top of the conference this year for girls, while Trace finished second overall for the varsity boys fill percentage."
In addition to earning state berths in team and individual competition, Ethridge, Ermey and Hasse also qualified to bowl at the All-Star tournament challenge.
As talented as the group is collectively, each individual player must invest a lot of time, money and effort in perfecting his or her craft.
"Our players put a lot of hard work and dedication into practicing year-round and making themselves better athletes," Svendsen said.
Multiple players on the team participate in numerous leagues, matches throughout the week and on weekends, all while adhering to a routine practice schedule. On top of that, the players may spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars in buying the necessary equipment. But as hectic as it may seem, players on the Monroe squad get it done and manage to go the extra distance by squeezing in extra practice sessions.
"A lot of the players will come in on their own time to get more practice and work on their spare shooting and being able to consistently throw good shots," Svendsen said. "They see from year to year the success they have been able to accomplish and they only want to get better and perform better. They have a drive to want to take their game to the next level, and I think that these are the biggest reasons as to why our players have seen so much success in such a small period."
