by Bea Peterson
“Plaques or trophies don’t really matter; we know what we accomplished,” said HFCS Bowling Coach Bob Lang. Of course they matter, but he is also right. He and the team know what they accomplished. What the team did this season was win the Class C-D Division Bowling Championship for the fourth time in six years. As a matter of fact, in the Sectionals they bowled the highest score of all the Section II teams and earned the right to represent Section II in the State finals. It would have been the first time a Class C bowling team had ever competed in States.
[private]Unfortunately, the school discovered that the necessary paperwork to allow eighth-graders to bowl on the varsity team was not filed in November. When the error was discovered on February 15, the school immediately reported it to the NYS Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA). That week the team was stripped of its Class C championship and denied the opportunity to compete on the state level. The school filed an appeal, and late last week that appeal was denied.
NYSPHSAA, Section II Executive Director Douglas Kenyon said he is not sure anything like this has happened in NYSPHSAA Bowling before. “However, it is not the first time that an ineligibility has occurred to a team in post season competition in New York State. The most recent, that I am aware of,” he said, “was last fall when a school in Section III was disqualified because of a violation.”
On Friday HFCS Superintendent Ken Facin said, “We failed our students, and these players and their families are hurting.”
“We have worked hard to make this a student centered school. This is a big step backwards for us. We hope we can earn the respect of the bowlers and their families through our actions.”
Facin said he pleaded with officials to fine him as Superintendent or send a letter of admonishment to him, because this was an adult error. “They [the Bowling Team] competed hard all year.” His request was denied.
Facin said, “We can never make this up to the student athletes or their families.” Later on Friday, Facin, Vice Principal and Athletic Director Brett Lamy and members of the School Board met with the students and their parents. “We want to look them in the eye and apologize,” Facin said.
During school announcements Friday morning Lamy again congratulated the bowlers on their success and took full responsibility for the oversight that cost them their championship. Facin said the protocol has been changed so that something like this will never happen again.
Facin has a problem with this adult centered decision. He feels Section II needs to change and be less adult centered and more student centered.
“This is a sad day,” said Facin. “We take pride in giving our students as many opportunities as possible. We failed them. We can never overcome the disappointment of these students and their families.” Facin added that no matter what good he accomplishes during his tenure, this failure is what he will remember the most.
“We’re proud of our Bowling Team, and we always will be,” he said.
Bowling Team Co-Captain and senior Joe Wolfrum was able to compete at the State level as a high scoring individual player. There are more competitions this week. Six Panther bowlers were named to the Adirondack League All-Stars with Joe Wolfrum taking top honors.
Congratulations to the Bowling Team on a great season! Be proud of what you accomplished.
Varsity And JV Roster
Seniors – Joe Wolfrum – Captain, Mikaela Marbot – Captain, Mitchell Andrew, Jordan Colvin, Charlie Stowell
Juniors – Bryan Callahan, Josh Conn, Josh Reveal
Freshmen – Kenneth Marbot
8th-graders – Josh McCart, Jen Sargood, Stephen Surdam
7th-graders – Jonathan Bossoni
Coaches – Bob Lang, Dick Weeden
Adirondack League All – Stars, Southern Division 2011 – 2012
First Team
Joe Wolfrum Hoosick Falls 213
Bryan Callahan Hoosick Falls 209
Mitch Andrew Hoosick Falls 208
Josh Conn Hoosick Falls 197
Pat Loomis Granville 193
Josh McCart Hoosick Falls 192
Mike Ricci Schuylerville 188
Nick Dowark Stillwater 185
Second Team
Matt Ricci Schuylerville 184
Jon Barron Schuylerville 183
Mikaela Marbot Hoosick Falls 182
Will Sullivan Schuylerville 181
Jeff Medick Schuylerville 180
Tatios Barkamian Hoosic Valley 177
Austin Edwards Hoosic Valley 177
Charlie Dywer Stillwater 175
High Average – Joe Wolfrum 213
High Game – Joe Wolfrum – 300
High Triple – Joe Wolfrum 781[/private]