Newton bowlers sweep Pella at Cardinal Lanes

Kelly Holmes bounced back from a subpar opening meet with a career day on Monday.

But Gabbie Humphrey’s run of five straight strikes to end her second game of the day pushed her past Holmes for the overall win.

Together, Humphrey and Holmes helped the Newton girls bowling team improve to 2-0 following a victory over rival Pella at Cardinal Lanes. The Cardinals also got career-best series from Aeris Archer and Alex Schultz.

The Newton boys overcame a big challenge from the Dutch despite not having the top bowler for the day.

The Cardinals held a narrow lead over Pella after the individual round and the Dutch were better in the Baker games, but Newton still found a way to get to 2-0 for the season.

“I’m so proud of the girls, and I’m very impressed with how well the boys team remained calm and focused,” Newton head bowling coach Christie Lester said. “The girls really improved on the lanes from their match against Gilbert.”

The Newton girls defeated the Dutch 2,220 to 2,008. The Cardinals led 1,520 to 1,321 after the individual games and outscored their opponents 700-687 in Bakers.

On the boys’ side, Newton got career-best games from Nathan Hauber, Gentry Swarts and Carter Maki to help the Cardinals grab an early lead over the Dutch.

Hauber and Maki then matched their first game with a career-best score in the second game and the Cardinals led 2,007 to 1,949 after the individual round.

Newton (2-0) edged the Dutch 2,957 to 2,917 after Pella outscored the Cardinals 968 to 950 in Bakers. Newton’s third Baker game was a 230 and it finished with a pair of 191s.

“The varsity boys had a very tight matchup,” Lester said. “I think both teams were nervous during the last of the Baker games. Austin (Kennedy) converted a 4-9 split and that was crucial. They kept the lead, and more importantly, they were collectively strong during the entire meet.”

Humphrey rebounded from a subpar opening game to edge Holmes by one pin in the final standings.

Humphrey won the meet with a 362 series after firing single games of 157 and 205.

Holmes opened her day with a career-best 193 and finished with a 168 for a career-best series of 361. She opened the day with three straight strikes.

Archer gave the Newton girls (2-0) a 1-2-3 finish as she posted single games of 159 and 172 for a career-best series of 331.

The rest of the Cardinal varsity featured Schultz, Marissa Burns and Tamika Rodenborn, who finished ninth, 10th and 12th, respectively.

Schultz bowled a career-best series of 236 after single games of 121 and 115. Burns fired a 120 and a 110 for a 230 series and Rodenborn (216) had single games of 116 and 100.

Taylor Walker led the Dutch (1-1) in fourth with a 299 series.

Lina Hinds led the Newton girls JV with a 239 series, while Lili Baxin had a 226 and Makayla Carter finished with a 220. Hinds, Baxin and Carter had individual games of 147, 134 and 126, respectively.

Hauber’s big day included a career-best 440 series. He put together single games of 211 and a career-best 229 to finish tied for second overall.

He had a string of four straight strikes in Game 1 and then opened the second game with five in a row.

“Hauber had a stellar day,” Lester said. “He even stopped and reflected on his freshman year and was happy with how well he’s improved. That’s the attitude and growth that makes me want to continue coaching.

“When they can see improvement and know what they have accomplished, it makes my job so much more enjoyable and worthwhile.”

Jeremiah Killmer and Austin Kennedy were fourth and fifth, respectively. Killmer posted a 415 series after individual games of 192 and 223.

Kennedy opened with a 183 and finished with a 223 for a 406 series.

Swarts placed seventh overall, while Maki and Parker Kennedy tied for eighth.

Swarts opened with a career-best single game of 212 and finished with a 184 for a career-best 396 series.

Both Killmer and Swarts produced three straight strikes in Game 1 and Killmer began Game 2 with four in a row.

Maki made his season debut on varsity and turned in a career-best series of 350. His individual games both set personal bests with a 169 and a 181.

Parker Kennedy bounced back from a subpar 145 in his opening game with a 205 second game. He tied Maki with a 350 series.

Alex Bishara of Pella (1-1) and was the overall winner with a 494 series. He turned in single games of 237 and 257. Carter Failor (440) tied Hauber for second with single games of 203 and 237.

Braden Baskerville led the Newton JV with a 339 series and Thaddeus Lewis turned in a 326. Baskerville ended his individual round with a 206.

“Our JV teams continue to get stronger,” Lester said. “This isn’t an easy sport to master, but they are putting in the work and seem to be enjoying the process.”