Viking Bowling continues successful season

By: Carlsy Ybanez

Business Manager

The Hudson Valley Community College Bowling teams have been magnificent this season – with both the men’s and women’s teams participating in the NJCAA Regional Tournaments a few weeks ago on Friday, Feb. 21. 

After capturing the program’s 23rd conference title from Herkimer – by only 11 pins; the men’s team came into the regional tournament with momentum. Their season of hard work was finally coming to fruition. 

“We don’t have any specific game changers,” said Head Coach Catherine Bell. “Everyone comes together when they need to [and] if someone throws a bad shot, it’s very important that the team is right there to pick you up,” she continued. “Bowling is a physical and extremely mental game.” 

“The game changers for the team were going to be the two other seniors, AJ Hurlburt and Jordan Nichols,” said Christian Caputo, men’s bowling and buisness administration sopohomore said. “They always step up when needed at a tournament.” 

Caputo was named Male Athlete of the Week, by NJCAA Region 3 in the week upcoming to the finals and Jordan Thomas, women’s bowling and accounting freshman, was named the Female Athlete of the Week..

For finals Bell said it was difficult to anticpate how the team would do.

  “We started with an early bus ride where it’s quiet and nobody really talks but by the time we were 20 minutes to our destination [the team] had specific pump up music that gets them in a good mood,” Bell said. “It all depended on how the pattern was laid out and who has the equipment for it,” she continued. “All we could do as coaches was give them the best tools to succeed on and off the lanes.” 

Thomas also had her own expectations. 

“I wanted to maintain a 170 average and above for the day,” Thomas said.

This was a feat she accomplished, posting scores of 715 in singles and 655 in doubles, totaling a score of 1370 for all events, and placing 4th overall in the women’s division. 

Despite her success, and the success of Haley Salvagione, a human services freshman, who totaled 1283 placing her 9th overall in the women’s division – they still fell short of winning the championship. 

Vikings Assistant Coach Christopher Claus said he only had one regret

“The only thing I wish I could change is that the women’s team had the same success as the men’s team,” Claus said.

The women’s team ended their campaign with a 5th place finish at the Women’s Bowling Championships, hosted by Mohawk Valley Community College, with a score of 5626. 

In turn, the men’s bowling team clinched the title with a score of 8694 pins – placing 1st in the tournament by beating out Erie Community College by a narrow 68 pins. 

They were led by Caputo, with a score of 1579, placing 7th overall in the men’s division. This was followed by Codi Genther, an electrical construction and maintenance freshman, with a score of 1571, and sophomore business administration major AJ Hurlburt with a score of 1551 – respectively placing them 8th and 10th in the men’s leaderboards.

“Now we have two big tournaments coming up, March 5th to 7th in Buffalo, NY, for Nationals,” Claus said. “Then the following week, we will be in New Jersey for Sectionals,” he continued. “I don’t see why we can’t have the same results that we just had [and go all the way].” 

 “This year we wanted to do better than last season,” Caputo said. “Our goal was just to go win the conference and a couple of matches here and there, [however], we have exceeded that goal and then some,” he continued. “I feel satisfied with where we are at so far, but also we have set out to accomplish a bigger goal now, and there is still a lot of bowling to go for this season.” 

Bell said her only regret was not starting the season sooner, but she was still happy with the way it went. 

“I was very satisfied with the ending [becasue] they all came together as a team and they continue to do so,” Bell said. “I am very proud of what they accomplished and nobody should be upset about how the season is going,” she continued. “We still have a lot more bowling to go [and] I think this team has very good potential to do great things! #Go Vikings!” 

With enthusiasm from the players and coaches, the Vikings men’s bowling team headed into the 2020 NJCAA National Bowling Tournament.

After the first day, Hudson Valley Community College’s five-man team was in 10th place, with a total of 7,587 pins combined and a five-man score of 2,561 pins. 

For the singles, Christian Caputo, Kyle Fortin and AJ Hurlburt were each in the top 50% of men’s bowling – placing 9th, 44th, and 51st, out of 120 bowlers, respectively, on the first day. 

In the final, Christian Caputo ended with a strong 16th place finish in the singles, with a total score of 2,228 pins and an average 185.8 pins per game. 

To end their national run, Hudson Valley Community College’s men’s bowling team placed 7th out of 22 teams in the final standings. Trailing St. Clair CC by only 81 pins, the Vikings final total score was 11,795 pins. 

A good finish that should give them encouragement and momentum going into their Sectionals next week, which will be in New Jersey.