By: Angela DelVecchio
(photos/videos by James Quinn for PSD)
BRISTOL, PA--The Philadelphia Catholic League boys' and girls' bowling championships took place over the past two weekends at Bristol Lanes.
Third seed Roman Catholic claimed the title this Saturday, Feb. 25th after defeating No.1 seed Father Judge, 2526 to 2440. This marked the third league title for the Cahillites in four seasons.
ROMAN CATHOLIC 2022 PCL CHAMPIONSHIP BOWLING TEAM (photo/James Quinn)
(Pictured are members of the 2022 Championship team, Head coach Dan Ciecka, Cole Reihman-Murphy, Brian Tran, Evan Garland, Blaine Ostrom, Augustus Sroka, Quadir Clark, Dave Trimber, Dan Daily and Asst. Coach Jack Harrell.
The boys put the work into this season. We started the season in early November. We had a strong senior core,” said head coach Dan Ciecka.
The team was led by senior captains Evan Garland, first-team All-Catholic, who came in second place for the Catholic League MVP with a 201.36 average and Dave Trimber, first-team All-Catholic, with a 184.43 average.
“They both made my job easy,” said Ciecka.
Ciecka also lauded assistant coach Jack Harrell for helping the team with in-game coaching and junior team member Dan Dailey, second-team All-Catholic, for helping the team get to the title.
“Dan struck out in the 9th and 10th frame of the semifinals match vs. Conwell-Egan. It was the turning point in that match. We only won by 40 pins and were behind at that time."
“After a disappointing finish to last season. We had to refocus on our goal- to win a championship. Last season ended with us not being able to play in the playoffs, even though we were eligible. We had a covid outbreak and had to forfeit our eligibility. That was very disappointing because we were bowling our best at the end of the season."
For Ciecka, this season and winning the PCL Championship was more about building memories for his team.
“I played in a Catholic league title baseball game in 1986 for north Catholic and told them they will never forget this memory. It will be part of them forever. We ended the season as the No. 3 seed and still won it all. I am most proud of the way our boys played in the playoffs. They stepped up when there was the most pressure. They played for each other," said Ciecka.
Roman Senior Evan Garland makes 4th strike in game one in championship match vs. Father Judge. (video/James Quinn for PSD)
“With it being my senior year, this one was especially special because I was able to start and end my high school career with a championship. Finishing out at the third seed was not the position we wanted to finish but we did not count ourselves out,” said Garland.
“Props to the Judge guys,” said Garland. “They put up a heck of a fight. I’m not going to lie it was a rough day for me and just knowing I was able to contribute in any way as possible."
Determination and resilience were the terms senior Quadir Clark used to describe his team.
“From the start of the season, we had our eyes focused on the title and that focal point never wavered. The team as a whole knew what our desired outcome was, and the prioritization of that dream led to us being the victors,” said Clark.
For Clark, being a member of this team was truly an honor.
“As a walk-on senior with no experience in the sport, my teammates welcomed me with open arms and knowledge. I became really close in that short period of time with people I had never talked to,” said Clark.
(Full Photo Gallery from 2022 PCL Boys' Championship Match by James Quinn: Click Here).
Roman Catholic vs. Father Judge in 2022 PCL Championship Final. (Photos by James Quinn for PSD)
Clark was named finals MVP.
“Honestly, being able to help my team and be beneficial was what was important to me. I had a bad first game... and I couldn’t get in a rhythm. At the end of such a close game and afterwards I was thinking about how I didn’t want to bring the team down or be the reason we lost when we had come so far," said Clark.
Clark knew that his spot on the team was a coveted position one that he did not want to take for granted.
“Throughout that game and the break, I was given words of encouragement from my friends and teammates some who would have gotten the chance to play if I had been taken out. And I am happy I got out of that and was able to come through in the last two games,” said Clark.
Clark who finished the match with a game high of 229 points could not be more appreciative of his coaches' and team’s confidence in him.
“As a new senior member of the team trusted by my coaches and teammates, to be in such a position as a starter in the championship even after a bad first game, being about to make the decision of playing me all season and in tough scenarios and seeing the joy of the people around me after winning means way more to me than the finals MVP,” said Clark.
Roman senior Quadir Clark named Finals MVP. (Photo/James Quinn for PSD)
Garland had some sound words of advice for his team for next season.
“All I can say is keep it up guys. Don’t let up. And bring another championship home to Broad and Vine,” said Garland.
CONWELL-EGAN 2022 PCL CHAMPIONSHIP BOWLING TEAM. (photo/James Quinn)
Front Row: Lee Bresnen, Kayla McIntosh, Lindsay Klewin, Second Row: Kamryn Moody, Ang Bresnen, Sydney Snyder, Back Row: Brooke Bannon, Julie Gausz, Coach Pat Donlen, Cait Egan, Maisy Phillips & Sarah Bevan)
Conwell-Egan Topped off their Undefeated season with the PCL Championship Plaque.
The Lady Eagles claimed the Philadelphia Catholic league title on Saturday, Feb.19th at Bristol Lanes after defeating No. 2 team Bonner-Prendergast with a 1793-1667 pin total. This was Conwell-Egan’s fourth appearance in the PCL Championship game in the last four years and their second consecutive league title.
Their 2020-21 season which culminated with the PCL plague was definitely a motivator for this season’s success.
“Last year we had a really good team, and they were determined to get back to the championship match no matter what. We had our difficulties keeping everyone healthy and the league was successful in getting a full season in. We knew that we were the team to beat. After winning last year the girls knew they wanted to be back in the same position this year,” said head coach Pat Donlen.
Conwell-Egan senior Sydney Snyder is named League MVP. (photo/James Quinn for PSD)
Despite the trials and challenges from Covid, the team became stronger.
"No one was comfortable wearing a mask and getting their temperature taken every day, but it paid off by keeping our kids healthy. As a coach I tried to keep as much as normal, but the girls handled everything well, which is why they succeeded again this year," said Donlen.
Led by senior captains Sydney Snyder and Angelina Bresnen, CE held a 12-0 league record.
“Sydney Snyder and Ang Bresnen, as seniors, are true leaders and competitors. Sydney has been the league MVP for three years in a row. Ang is our catcher on the softball team and her tenacity on the field translates well to the bowling alley,” said Donlen.
In addition to being named MVP, Snyder along with Bresnen and junior Maisy Phillips and sophomore Kayla McIntosh were named first-team All-Catholic.
“Sydney winning MVP for a third year is a very proud moment for us. This is a competitive league and for her to accomplish this in her career is something special. Maisy Phillips elevated her bowling to the next level this year. As a junior she will be our leader next year. Ang Bresnen was new to bowling three years ago but learned the game and was a solid reliable player. Our new addition to our team is Sophomore Kayla McIntosh. Kayla is one of the most competitive people I have ever coached. All four girls were named to the PCL first-team All-Catholic team. This is what makes me most proud. I also want to thank our JV girls that came to every practice and match,” Donlen said.
According to Snyder winning the title two years in-a-row was not an accomplishment taken lightly.
“There has not been a single team in the girls’ PCL league to have won this title consecutively. So many people have thought that we weren’t going to win again, but my team and I have proved them wrong. Midway through the season we hit an obstacle that since we have been undefeated it must stay that way, so we had to work even harder to make sure that no one could catch up to us,” said Snyder.
"My team and I have set a goal at the beginning of the year to be the best that we could ever be. If we lost a game, we were determined to win the entire match. With this mindset we have accomplished being undefeated champions. My teammates have definitely come a long way since our first practice together. They have shown everyone that they weren’t going to backdown and that this title would be ours,” said Snyder.
Snyder touts her entire team’s effort in making this championship title a reality.
“We all have made first-team All-Catholic, and I couldn’t be prouder. I am also proud of the way that Sarah, a senior, and Cait, who is also a senior, have stepped up and filled in when we needed them too. I am proud of Kamryn, Lindsay, Lee and Brooke for showing dedication and supporting the team," said Snyder.
For Bresnen, winning the championship her senior year, showed just how far they have come as a team.
“Sophomore year really gave us a taste of what being in the PCL championship was like, and the heartbreak when we lost by 10 pins (to Bonner-Prendie). After that we kicked it into gear and since then we haven’t lost since. What stands out the most about this season is how much we all wanted to succeed and win the PCL. We never gave up when we were down, and we always fought back,” said Bresnen.
Bresnen also touts her team’s determination for getting back to that championship match.
Conwell-Egan senior Ang Bresnen throws a strike in Championship Match vs. Bonner-Prendergast. (video/James Quinn for PSD)
“Each and every person on our team wants to better themselves and we are all team players, we are never worried about just ourselves and that is what lead us to be so successful this season. I am most proud of going undefeated and winning our second PCL championship,” Bresnen said.
“We just kept working hard, didn’t let up, and we wanted to win and go undefeated not just for the team, but for coach Donlen.”
Snyder emphasized that by having a season turned upside down due to Covid last year, her team was grateful to be able to bond with the entire team this year.
“With covid last year we didn’t get the opportunity of having that many girls go to the away matches with us. So, when we were told that we could bring almost the entire team to matches again we were all thrilled because it gave more reassurance and support,” said Snyder.
Both Snyder and Bresnen offered words of wisdom to their teammates going forward.
(Full Photo Gallery of 2022 Girls' Championship Match by James Quinn: CLICK HERE.)
Conwell-Egan vs. Bonner-Prendergast 2022 PCL Championship Match.(Photo Gallery/James Quinn for PSD)
“The advice I would give to my team is to try their best and have fun because the years fly by and before you know it you will be leaving high school. So, cherish those moments that you get to spend on the bus rides to and from matches,” said Snyder.
“Keep working hard, don’t give up, and be a team player,” said Bresnen.
Well said.
(For more PCL Girls' Semifinal match photos. by James Quinn (Click Here)
2021-22 PCL Girls’ Bowling All-Catholic Team
PCL MVP: Sydney Snyder, Conwell-Egan
FIRST-TEAM
Sydney Snyder, Conwell-Egan
Maria Hindman, St. Hubert’s
Kayla McIntosh, Conwell-Egan
Maisy Phillips, Conwell-Egan
Madison Groux, Bonner & Prendie
Allison Armstrong, Archbishop Carroll
Gianna Cerne, St. Hubert’s
Angelina Bresnen, Conwell-Egan
SECOND-TEAM
Alyssa Lipscomb, Bonner & Prendie
Genevieve Marvil-Arakelia, Bonner & Prendie
Rhema Garland, Little Flower
Alexis Horton, Bonner & Prendie
Samantha Ryan, St. Hubert’s
Lydia Malone, Archbishop Carroll
Alyssa Daniels, Archbishop Ryan
Rachel Nice, St. Hubert’s
2021-22 PCL BOYS' BOWLING ALL-CATHOLIC TEAM
PCL MVP: Aidan Hanlon, Father Judge
FIRST-TEAM
Aidan Hanlon, Father Judge
Evan Garland, Roman
Daniel Wang, Archbishop Ryan
Matt Coppola, Conwell-Egan
David Trimber, Roman
Will Studley, Archbishop Wood
Joseph McNally, Archbishop Ryan
Tommy Walk, Devon Prep
Jacob Carlson, La Salle College
Matt DiCicco, Father Judge
SECOND-TEAM
Dan Dailey, Roman
Matt McDonnell, La Salle College
Nick Wolf, Father Judge
Logan Anderson, Father Judge
Jaehyun Park, Conwell-Egan
Ryan Dorofy, St. Joseph’s Prep
Joe Wilson, Father Judge
Vince Mullins, Conwell-Egan
TJ Dunn, Conwell-Egan
Graham Biesecker, La Salle College
THIRD-TEAM
Tyler Schiele, Archbishop Carroll
Elwin Serrao, Bonner & Prendie