North girls, Central boys lead conference in bowling

Valley Stream’s high school bowlers were certainly on a roll this year. Both Conference VI championships went to Valley Stream teams, with the Central High School boys and North High girls each capturing first place. Regular season matches took place at Rockville Lanes.

North girls dominate

It was an undefeated season for the North High School girls’ team, which won all 12 matches this season. “It was one of the most successful teams in Valley Stream North history,” coach Santo Di Sclafani said.

Besides finishing first in the conference, the team had two All-County bowlers, Jennifer Conti and Maria Lucente.

Lucente’s 198 average led the conference and was third in the county. She had a high game of 258. Di Sclafani said the sophomore did her best bowling against rivals Valley Stream Central and North.

The All-County competition was the highlight of the season, Di Sclafani said. On Feb. 12 at Garden City Lanes, Lucente and a bowler from Jericho were tied after six games for the final spot to advance to the state competition. In a one-game tie-breaker, Lucente bowled a 224, edging her opponent by more than 30 pins. “She really stepped up under pressure with the whole bowling alley watching,” Di Sclafani said. Lucente now moves on to the state finals March 1-3.

Conti, a senior, had a 175 season average and a 238 high game. He said the team also got solid contributions from juniors Celine Zollinger and Natalie Iannone, and senior Kristen Montana.

The boys finished third in the conference with a 7-5 record. They were led by seventh-grader Steven Santiago, whose 169 average was tops on the squad. “He was the anchor of the team,” Di Sclafani said about the third Santiago brother to bowl for North. “He exceeded expectations. When we needed a big shot or a big game, he usually provided it.”

Other major contributors included new team members Sean Cosme, a junior, and Jeff Lantigua, a senior, neither of whom had ever bowled in a league before. “Both of them fit right in right away and provided North with some outstanding games throughout the season,” Di Sclafani said.

Sophomore Jonathan Kwan will earn a conference award for his 222 high game this season.