LAST SEASON: The Rockets battled Caledonia all season for the O-K Green conference championship. They trailed the Fighting Scots in the standings, heading into the season-ending conference tournament. R-P rose up and won the tournament, Caledonia finished second, and the two teams shared the overall conference championship. R-P also finished second at the GMAA tournament, which pits every team in the county against each other. The Rockets were led by four standout seniors - Brook Buchan, Hailey Johnsen, Rowan Bluhm and Ella Mattson.
BACK ON THE TEAM: The Rockets return and will lean on three bowlers from last year’s championship squad – juniors Destani Villapando, Jaden Husted and Kaila Uhlig. All three spent time in the lineup last season and contributed to the team’s success, and are now ready to move into leadership roles and try to push the team to further success.
Last year's championship team.
NEW TO THE ROSTER: Four new members of the team will comprise the rest of the roster, and with only seven bowlers on the squad, they are all likely to play important roles throughout the season. The newcomers are senior Kylie Riner, junior Joslyn Wynsma and freshmen Re’Unna Dawson and Sam Cryderman. All four are repeatedly excited to get their feet wet and help the Rockets win.
X FACTOR: Losing four standouts from the five-bowler starting lineup would be tough for any team to deal with, and the Rockets are considering this a rebuilding season, but that doesn’t mean they are ready to stop winning. They are encouraged by the offseason work the bowlers have put in, and the eagerness they are showing to keep the success going.
FIRST COMPETITION: Friday preseason conference tournament at Sherman Lanes. Saturday Jenison Invitational at Station 300.
COACH QUOTE: “We are confident that this team has what it takes to do well this year. I am looking forward to another great season with this team and am excited to watch them grow both on and off the lanes.”- Karla Buchan