LOGAN GUIDES KENNARD-DALE'S FIRST-YEAR BOWLING TEAM

Joel Logan

By Barry Sparks

The success of Kennard-Dale's first-year bowling team wasn't measured by wins and losses this season.

Only one bowler had any experience on the fledgling squad, which consisted of five starters and five reserves.  The team competed on a club basis, rolling exhibition games against York Vo-Tech, Columbia and the Janus School. 

"I wasn't sure how the year would go, but I've been impressed with how the students have progressed," said Joel Logan, a teacher at Kennard-Dale who coaches the team. 

Logan is a long-time league bowler and bowling instructor.  He has worked with junior bowlers for 25 years, including 13 years at Suburban Bowlerama.

"I want to share my love of bowling with the students," stressed Logan, who averaged 213 last season.  "One of the great things is that the students and parents initiated the idea of a bowling team."

He said it doesn't matter if students lack bowling experience.  In fact, it might be helpful.

"The kids have a blank slate.  They don't have any bad habits," he said.  "You can teach them the right way.  You tell them to do something, and they do it."

Being a member of the Kennard-Dale bowling team required dedication and commitment.  The team practiced twice a week at Lion Bowl in Red Lion.  Logan typically drove the students 20 miles to the center in a school van.

Logan, who emphasizes fundamentals, received satisfaction when a student rolled his or her first 200 game, 600 series or topped their personal high score.

His long-range goal is to have the Kennard-Dale team become PIAA sanctioned.  He said the infrastructure exists for a future PIAA bowling league in York County.

Kennard-Dale participated in the team and individual PIAA District III independent qualifier for non school- sponsored bowlers at Berks Lanes this past weekend. Takoda Stike, a junior, earned a spot in the PIAA District III tournament.

"These kids are special to me," he said.  "We have the start of something special, something we can build on."