Red Oak wins season opener against Denison-Schleswig

RED OAK — The Red Oak varsity bowling team started strong with their 2011-12 season debut as they defeated the Denison-Schleswig Monarchs.

The boys varsity won 2,931-2,620, while the girls defeated Denison 2,429-2,267.

“I thought both teams did really well,” Red Oak Bowling Head Coach Darrell Berry said.

The boys varsity team built a solid lead in the series, thanks to the efforts of Taylor Mellott, who finished with a 473 series to lead Red Oak. Mellott finished his first game with seven straight strikes, to score a 227. The senior followed that up with seven additional strikes to open his second series en route to a 246 game.

“[Mellott’s] got a great mental attitude at this game and it takes a lot to really rock him,” Berry said.

The boys maintained their lead and built upon it in the baker games.
Red Oak also had a 400 series out of David Terry (429) and Hayden Berry (415).

“Any time we can have three of our bowlers shoot over a 410 series, we’ll take that,” Coach Berry said.

The girls team meanwhile had a close lead, 1,587-1,546, going into the Baker games.

“They knew they had to buckle down and get some things going,” Berry said about the girls team.

Red Oak would increase their lead over Denison. One of the big differences was the second baker game when there was a strike or spare in every frame, including three straight strikes, capped by Kristi Yardas.

Berry said he, as well as former Red Oak Coach Pam Schoening, try to stress the importance of picking up spares.

“It’s all about the spares. The spares are where you build up your game, Berry said. “The strikes will come, they’ll happen naturally.”

Berry said the team needed to go back and work on their spares.

“On the ladies side, we had a lot of 1 and 2 pins counts, where they were left and we didn’t pick those up,” he said. “We could easily turn our 130, 140, 150 games into 170, 180 and 190, and it’s just a matter of two or three marks.”

Four bowlers finished with a 300 series, including Yardas, who recorded a 348. Shelby Storesund finished with a 341, Maranda Myers had a 336 and Teesha Hardy finished with a 333.

The junior varsity teams meanwhile lost to Denison-Schleswig. The JV boys lost 2,182-2,031, while the JV girls lost 2,1,21-1,971.

“Denison is probably one of the toughest competitions we’ll see all year,” Berry said.

Berry praised the sportsmanship of both teams, including the junior varsity teams.

“They complimented each other and they were there for each other with support, so they did a good job,” he said.

Red Oak will be back in action Tuesday as they face the Creston Panthers at home. The meet starts at 3:30 p.m.