(COVINGTON, La.)– For the first time in school history, St. Paul’s has a competitive LHSAA bowling team, contrary to previous years, when SPS only had club teams. The team practices with sister school St. Scholastica Academy (SSA).

“Mr. Peter Bertucci, the SSA bowling coach and father of (St. Paul’s) freshman Peter Bertucci wanted to see St. Paul’s compete as an LHSAA sport,” SPS Bowling coach Paul Scoriels said, “and Coach Ketelsen made it happen.”

The Kegler Wolves were made a competitive LHSAA team about a month ago, and according to Scoriels, “It has been a slow and a learning process for the team.”

The team lost its first three games to Dutchtown, reigning 5A state champion Brother Martin, and Shaw High School, but the Wolves bounced back to win their next game. District play began on Feb. 1, 2016, with the Kegler Wolves winning their first match as an LHSAA team against St. Thomas Aquinas.

Other competitors in district include Hannan, Albany, and Holden. Scoriels believes Hannan to be the Wolves’ primary rival, but says it’s still early to tell.

“It’s good competition for our students being able to bowl against other schools for district honors,” Scoriels said.

The team’s first win was followed by a tough loss to St. Amant on Feb. 4, losing 24.5-2.5. But SPS followed up with 24-3 win against district rival Hannan on Feb. 15, now putting them at 2-4 for the season and 2-0 in district play. Against Hannan, Garret Grass bowled his personal best of 202, Jonathan Wellmeyer bowled 190 and 207, and Peter Bertucci bowled 170.

Both SPS and SSA ride a bus to Tangi Lanes in Hammond to participate in daily practices to continue improving their play with the goal of winning more games as the season progresses.

“(Tangi Langes is) very accommodating, and they make us feel welcomed,” Scoriels said.

Since this is St. Paul’s first year of competitive bowling, Scoriels’ expectations are not necessarily high, but said, “This season will probably be a learning experience for our guys, but I know they will work hard to get better every match.”

The team next plays Albany at Tangi Lanes on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 3:25 p.m. For weekly updates on the team’s progress, visit the Bowling Wolves schedule/scoreboard.