Bowling captains leading the way for Comets

Jack Mendelsohn | The Chronicle

After seeing their five-season streak of winning or sharing the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) championships come to an end last year, the varsity Mason boys bowling team is making a strong push this season to reclaim their spot at the top. However, they have got some work ahead of them and will need their younger players to step up if they want to get back to the top.

The Comets boast an overall record of 7-2 and a 4-2 GMC record (as of press time January 27). The Comets currently sit in third place behind second place Lakota East and league front runner Fairfield. Mason has time to improve their league standing with a match with Fairfield slated for February 11 and the conference championship on February 15. 

The Comets charge is led by junior captains Drew Freeman and Ryan Monahan, whose skills and leadership have been pivotal to the team’s success. Freeman currently has the league’s third highest scoring average at 214.9, with Monahan sitting in the fifth spot at 208.1. 

The Comets have leaned on their captains, Freeman and Monahan, who are the returners with significant varsity experience. With just five starting spots open on the seven-player varsity roster, these two are guiding a group of newcomers stepping in to fill the spots left by graduated seniors. Joining the team this season is a mix of underclassmen, including sophomores Gus Hansen, Jacob Kameran, Ethan Kappen, Logan Owens, and juniors Noah Ruminski and Ryan Wilson.

Hansen is one of those younger players who has made a big impact during the team’s surge this season. Already ranked as the ninth-best bowler in the GMC, Hansen is excited about the future of the team. He believes they have the talent and drive to accomplish great things in the years ahead.

“Our team has so much potential, and there’s a lot to be excited about,” Hansen said. “The culture our coach, [Joe Reistenburg], is building is really solid, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.”

Even though the team entered the season with something to prove and a lack of varsity depth Freeman felt confident that their commitment to building on the foundation already established would lead to success. 

“We knew we would be coming in as a fresh team,” Freeman said. “But our goal has been to step up and fill the shoes of those who played before us, and continue to build on the success that they had.”

Monahan and Freeman’s leadership was put to the test early this season when the Comets suffered an emotional loss to league rival Oak Hills. Falling to Oak Hills in their second match meant near perfection was required moving forward to keep their championship hopes alive.

“It was definitely a mental struggle when we didn’t win that match,” Monahan said. “But I took a step back, refocused, and realized I needed to step up for my team. That mindset helped me come back stronger.”

Although the Comets currently sit in third place, they are still well-positioned to challenge for the conference title. As the season moves forward, their focus isn’t just on reclaiming the GMC crown but also on building a culture of growth and resilience within the team. With the captains leading by example, the team’s strong chemistry has become the foundation of their success.

“It’s all about helping the younger guys feel confident and find their footing,” Freeman said. “We know how important it is to have strong leadership, so we make sure we’re there for them.”