Out of 12 matches, the girls finished the regular season with 48 wins and no losses
The Middleburgh girls varsity bowling team is on another hot streak and once again ready to roll into the postseason undefeated in the WAC League.
“Since 2015 the girls have not lost a match,” said Coach Rich Shultes. “They have set the bar for excellence in their sport for years. They have won sectionals since 2018 and earned the right to represent Section 2 at states in 2019, but it was canceled due to COVID. These girls strive to improve with every practice and are looking forward to taking another shot at going to states.”
The league tournament is this coming Monday, January 31 at Spare Time in Latham and sectionals are Thursday, February 10.
MCS girls varsity bowling team is a WAC League record holder in these categories:
- Top 5 team average is 923
- Team high single is 1106
- Team high triple is 3139
MCS high singles and triples:
- Cameryn Shultes: 259 – 757; Avg. 203
- Jaidyn Rose: 259 – 687; Avg. 200
- Delilah Shultes: 236 – 641; Avg. 184
- Danielle Chichester: 225 – 578; Avg. 170
- Julia Bingham: 226 – 585; Avg. 166
- Haley Slater: 224-638; Avg. 155
During Senior night, Coach Shultes called each senior up to be recognized. He said, “Jaidyn has the highest triple for any girls team in our own section which is an 811 that she bowled in 2019. She’s been a real team player and a good asset to the team and we will certainly miss her.” Last year Jaidyn Rose was named WAC All-Star and MVP and the Times Union Girls Bowling Athlete of the Year. “During my six years on the team, I’ve gotten my highest game and my highest series. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the support of my teammates throughout the years and Coach Shultes,” Jaidyn said, “Definitely going to miss them next year.”
Team Captain Cameryn Shultes, this year’s WAC MVP says, “I have bowled my entire life, starting at the age of 4. I have always enjoyed it and grew up in the environment. “Cameryn is my granddaughter,” Coach Shultes said, “Between Cameryn and the rest of these girls it’s been really easy for me to coach.” Cameryn and Jaidyn have been on the MCS bowling team since 7th grade where they have made the ranks of All-Star status. “Cameryn also had a high triple at sectionals in 2020, the year Jaidyn had a high single,” the coach said.
Danielle Chichester joined the team in 9th grade. “She tried her stint at basketball first and that didn’t work out too well and decided to become a bowler,” joked Coach Shultes. Danielle, Jaidyn and Cameryn “all live in the same hamlet and there must be something about the water down there, I’m not sure,” the coach said. Danielle has been an All-Star for the last three years.
“We missed Skylar for a while because she was working, but she’s back and we look forward to a lot from her,” Coach Shultes said. “Skylar was always our sixth or seventh bowler and it comes in real handy to have someone with her ability in that spot and we really appreciate her being back this year.” Skylar Hainey is also glad to be back, saying, “I joined knowing nothing about bowling and still I’m not the best bowler, but I didn’t join bowling because I was good at it, I joined to be a part of something. We had fun and worked hard throughout the years. This bowling family that we have created will always be one of my favorite high school memories.”
Cameryn wishes she could have more time with the team. “Over the years I have watched all my teammates blossom along with myself, I began to enjoy it more and it became an enormous part of my life,“ she said. “These girls look forward to winning sectionals and moving on,” Coach Shultes said. His granddaughter echoed that saying, “I can’t wait to make some noise at sectionals and hope we can make it to states. Thank you to everyone for supporting me and my team, and for the teams to come!”
Superintendent Brian Dunn gave props, “Coach Shultes is a Jedi. His program annually produces outstanding scholar athletes and is a great source of pride for our district and community.” Athletic Director Gregg Johns noted that in the 16 years he’s worked for MCS, he’s always admired Coach Shultes’ bowling program “in terms of the strong academic performances of the bowlers, to their strong character inside the school building, to their exemplary sportsmanship while competing,” Mr. Johns said, “Their record is second to none.” Coach Shultes added, “for years these girls have been NY scholar athletes which means they carry high averages. And the team average is above 90.”