by Ken Brown
MISSISQUOI – The Craftsbury Academy (CA) bowling team earned its first third straight runner-up finish behind a career-high game from senior Will Patnoe over the weekend at Missisquoi Lanes.
The Chargers qualified second on the day and swept third seeded Twinfield (114-91, 132-92) in the opening round of the team competition. Top seeded Randolph blitzed CA in the opening game of the championship round 215-106 and narrowly closed them out 162-160 in the final game to claim the title. Randolph’s Blake Bliss closed out the Chargers in the tenth frame to secure the win. The second place finish vaulted CA to sixth in the current Vermont high school standings past South Burlington. Five Charger seniors were honored on their Senior Day before the competition.
“We took the time to honor Linden Stelma-Leonard, Verna Stoddard, Will Patnoe, Joe Wilcox, and Dalton Gravel. These five seniors have helped start the bowling program here at CA,” said head coach Connor Bean.
Patnoe celebrated his big day by bowling a 221, setting a new Craftsbury Academy record. He also added a solid 190 game on the afternoon. Jason Allen was also strong for the Chargers with a 215 in the first game. Jacob Marquis also added a solid 202 and 182 for CA.
“We struggled in the first game against Randolph, but battled back with a very close finish in the second game before Bliss capitalized and shut us out in the tenth frame. We have a tough slate of teams to face this weekend, including the top team in the state Brattleboro,” said Bean.
The Chargers will head back to the Valley Bowl in Randolph this weekend to do battle once again with the host team along with Brattleboro and Enosburg.
