TOWAMENCIN – North Penn has been a building full of ‘firsts’ this year –a new principal was hired, a North Penn graduate won the Super Bowl, a Mini-Thon date was set, and now, the North Penn boys bowling team advanced to the state tournament.

This coming Friday, March 18th, the boys bowling team will travel to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to compete in the state championship tournament on Saturday, March 19th for the first time in North Penn history.

“For the first time ever, it’s a major, major accomplishment,” exclaimed North Penn boys and girls bowling coach Donald Stadnycki, better known as Coach Saddle. Stadnycki has been the boys bowling coach for the past eleven years. “We’ve made it to regionals many times consecutively. The competition is so overwhelming, and for us guys to all come together [and advance] is just so awesome.”

The team started the season off strong, going undefeated in the first half. Despite losing a couple games in the middle of the season, the boys never let up and went on to win the regular season.

The regional tournament proved to be a nerve wracking experience for the team, but they ultimately pulled through, placing fifth, thus advancing them to the state tournament.

“I felt like it was our year. It was going well, so I knew we had a good shot,” explained  North Penn junior and Captain Tyler Sharpe “Hearing our name called fifth was awesome. It was a great moment, and I’ll never forget that. Even if we don’t make it my senior year, this is going to be the moment that I remember for the rest of my life.”

Heading into the state tournament, the team unfortunately cannot practice as much as they’d like due to the fact that it’s not free like other sports.  The team is working hard, though, at the practices they do have in preparation for the tougher competition ahead.

“We’re practicing going day by day and not expecting to be perfect,” said North Penn senior and first year bowling team member Zach Fuschetto “We’re going to hope for the best.”

The competition is expected to be a lot different from the other tournaments the boys have experienced given that there will be teams of all different caliber from around the state.

Coach Saddle is confident in the boys, though, “especially after the qualification last week.” He believes the tournament “show[ed] them that if they throw a ball like anyone else, and if they all work together, they have as good a shot as anyone.”

With this being his last year on the team, Captain Lucas Denton is excited to share this experience with his team. No matter what the outcome, he and Co-captain Sharpe are going to keep the team’s spirits up throughout it all.

“[Tyler Sharpe and I] keep the team together,” described Denton, who’s “going to make sure we all do well as a team and keep our heads up.”

Even if the team does not finish out on top, the boys re grateful to have this experience with one another, especially since they’ve all become close this season, like a family.

“It’s been a great experience,” remarked Fuschetto “They’re a great group of kids. I’ve learned a lot from them, and they each taught me something to help improve myself.”

The team did not fail to praise one very important member of their family, Coach Saddle. They believe they would not have even advanced if it was not for their coach’s guidance and encouragement along the way.

“Coach is great. He’s probably one of the best coaches in bowling right now,” said Sharpe, who then added “It’s all thanks to Coach Saddle. Nothing would be possible without him.”