Sayreville boys bowling team on a roll
Team prepares for Group III title match tomorrow
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
On the heels of its first Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) title and second-place showing in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Tournament, the Sayreville High School boys bowling team will compete for the overall Group III title on Friday at the Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes.

One of coachMikeWeinert's goalswas to win the GMC White Division crown. The Bombers split their season series with eventual winner North Brunswick, but a disappointing tie againstColonia ended up costing Sayreville a share of the division title.

Nevertheless, Weinert's team finished the season with a 16-1-1 mark and earned the fourth seed in the GMC tourney. Sayreville downed Carteret and Old Bridge to set up a semifinal meeting with Woodbridge, which was undefeated at the time and had won 60 straight matches.

The Barrons easily won the first game, but Sayreville came back to take the second, setting up a decisive third game. Woodbridge jumped out in front early and the Bombers found themselves down by 120 pins after five frames.

Undaunted, Weinert's team charged back into the game with junior Camryn Nieves leading the comeback with a string of strikes. In the end it came down to Nieves, who struck out in the 10th frame to finish with 233 and propel the Bombers to the GMC title, 1,044-1,024.

"It was an awesome day for our guys," Weinert said. "We were still going after the other match was finished, so everyone in the alley was watching us. Woodbridge is such a dominating team that some people are scared to bowl against them. Our guys looked at it as an opportunity, and they all came through. Nieves knew it was up to him and he handled it well."

Nieves, who struggled early in the season, had a strong second half that upped his average to 190 pins. So it was fitting that he continued his surge againstWoodbridge.

After Woodbridge, Sayreville still had to get past Edison in the finals. And Weinert, fearful of a letdown, reminded his team to stay on top of their game by saying, "Let's put this to bed." The teams split the first two games before the Bombers prevailed 1,068- 971 in the finale to give Sayreville its first GMC boys bowling championship.

On Saturday,Weinert's team competed in the CJ Group III tourney, taking second place behind Woodbridge - good enough to move on to the overall Group III tournament

this weekend.

"Our guys have had a strong season, especially in the second half," the coach said. "Right now they're confident and they're bowling their best."

Speaking of bowling their best, the Bombers' top roller is Marcin Golebiewski, who clearly has come a long way since being cut as a freshman. He made the team as a sophomore and saw limited action before earning a starting nod this winter. Golebiewski responded with a 211 average to lead the team.

"Marcin is probably the guy I was hardest on," Weinert said. "I knew we'd need him to play a major role this season, and he really stepped up for us."

MattWalczak, a four-year veteran and the only player left from Weinert's first Sayreville team, averaged 207 pins, a nine-pin improvement over a year ago. Three juniors also averaged more than 200 pins: Matt Wasielewski, 205, Brian Nicholas, 203, and Mike Savarese, 202. Juniors Mike Chuntz, Derek Kopek and Andrew Siarkiewicz played key supporting roles, the coach noted.

"I'mvery happy for our guys because they worked so hard for this,"Weinert said. "I demanded a lot, and this is there reward."

While the boys team garnered the lion's share of attention, Weinert also pointed out that his girls team quietly posted a winning record at 8-6-2 after a difficult season last winter.

Kristen Olesky topped the team with a 167-pin average. Olesky and fellow senior Katie Cavanaugh are the Bombers' only seniors, so Weinert will have an experienced group back next year. Returnees will include juniors Steph Bisaha, Maria Ligato and Carol Sharrouf, along with sophomores Leeann Cerbone, Alexis Correa and Tracy Karpinski.

"The girls are moving in the right direction, and we're looking to be even better next season," Weinert said.