The Carson Senator bowling team has returned and looks to be as dominating as ever.
Carson easily defeated Reno 44-1 in its season opener at the Grand Sierra (formerly Reno Hilton) Bowling Center in a High Desert Interscholastic Association match. This is the seventh year of competition for high school students in bowling in Northern Nevada and Carson has never lost a match, winning six straight titles.
Competition had to be suspended last year, but has been resumed for this season. Nine schools are competing this year.
"I was suprised," said Pinon Plaza bowling center manager Bill Baker, one of the team's coaches. "The team did real well.
"They've started out where they left off. It was a real good start for them. For all the (athletic) programs Carson City has ever had, this is probably the most successful."
All of Carson's nine bowlers who competed on Monday were underclassmen. J.J. McClain had the high series as he rolled a 222, 223, 211 (656). Other high games included Brad Mustafa (268), Tami Conn (254), Joe Bob Johnson (245), Bryan Byrne (222), Jared Wells (221) and Stephen Gall (217). Also competing were Michael Montiel and Justin Marsola.
Baker said this year's team obviously has a strong chance to keep the program's unbeaten streak going, but noted "Everybody's gunning for us."
He also credited the community's youth bowling program for the high school's success.
"This is by far the best junior program in Northern Nevada," Baker said. "Our junior program is spectacular here."
In the past there was consideration that an unofficial state title match be held with Southern Nevada's top team. Bowling is sanctioned by the Nevada Interscholastic Activites Association in Southern Nevada but not in Northern Nevada.
"We're working on that," said Baker about an unofficial state title match. "There is talk of that."
Carson is sponsored by Jacobs Entertainment, which owns the Pinon Plaza. Carson High teacher Paul Martinovich is the team's other coach. The team's next match is Monday at the Grand Sierra against Manogue.