Lady Blue Devils In Race For First

It’s been a slow and steady process, but now the Kemmore West girls’ bowling team is seeing their work payoff.

As of Jan.12, the Lady Blue Devils are the owners of a 7-2 record in the Niagara Frontier League. Just one game behind front-runner Lockport (8-1).

“It’s been a few years of growing pains amd this is where all of that hard work is coming out,” said Ken-West coach Larry Monahan.

Leading the way for the Lady Blue Devils has been their 1-2 punch of sophomore Chloe Strong and senior captain Alexis Seaman.

Both ranking in the top 10 in the NFL in multiple categories, Seaman’s 224 high game ranks 9th in the league while her 168.83 average is 10th.

Strong, meanwhile, ranks 3rd in high series (634), 5th in high game (236) and her 187.96 average has her in the No.2 in the NFL.

Monahan said that he couldn’t ask for anything more from both girls.

“The leadership that Alexis has given to this team has been excellent. I couldn’t ask for anything more,” he said. “She’s really been the one to pick the team up and keep them focused. And Chloe, she just leads by example. The way she prepares for each game and the way she prepares for each shot is outstanding.”

Seaman, who has been part of the process of improvement over the past four years, said the fact the girls are within striking distance of first place isn’t by luck. It is the result of hard work.

“I’d say it’s been great. Seeing everybody improve,” said Seaman. “I think it’s (about us) getting more confident and working more as a team. We’re closer-nit than ever before.” Seniors Emily Dowdall (158.19 avg.) and Miranda Remond (162.91avg) have also bowled well. Boys’,

The boys’ team is on the young side, but Monahan likes the sense of compete the team has shown. Monahan said the last two years have been more about rebuilding the program.

Instilling the fundamentals that will help the boys succeed long term.

Standing at 3-6 as of this writing, Monahan said that giving Niagara Falls all they could handle in their match is a sign that the boys are on track.

“We’ve really been in every match,” Monahan said. “Right now it’s just a young team finding a way to close out matches.”

Another sign that better days are on the way is the fact that freshman Lincoln Law is the team leader in average with a 17-9.38. Junior Joe Wilk (176.54) and sophomore Alex Walker (176.37) aren’t far behind.