Winter Sports Preview: Sequim High Bowling

Head coach: Randy Perry (8th year)

2014-2015 record: 4-8, tied for third in Olympic League; two players to district tournament

Top returning player: Dakota Henderson (jr.)

Newcomers: Kaleigh Cassal (sr.), Quinn Danielson (fr.), Porter Funston (fr.), Cheyenne Huffman (sr.), Thais De’ Moura (jr.), Sarah Newell (sr.), Destiny Stauss (so.)

Sequim Gazette staff

With a crop of new athletes to the team — and to the sport itself — Sequim coach Randy Perry is looking at a bit of a rebuilding project with Sequim High’s bowling crew.

Gone are all but one athlete from last year’s 4-8 squad, but returning junior Dakota Henderson has plenty of top experience. Henderson was one of Sequim’s two qualifiers for the West Central District tournament.

“There’s no reason Dakota can’t push going to state this year,” Perry says.

Last year’s squad of 11 players were enough to have varsity and JV squads but with just eight players, each Wolf is making varsity, the Sequim coach says.

Early on, these Wolves have had to learn the basics, but Perry sees plenty of progress.

“They think it’s this big competitive sport; no one knows how to bowl (at first),” Perry says. “None of (these player) have bowled before. None could walk up to the line.” Two weeks later, he says, they’re consistently bowling games of 80 to 110, and throwing in a few strong games like a 127 from promising newcomer Destiny Stauss.

Sequim will need those games to stay competitive in the Olympic League, as a balanced North Mason squad and aces from Klahowya and Olympic look to put the Bulldogs, Eagles and Trojans atop the standings.

Last season, Henderson and Kaitlin Jackson were lone Wolves at districts. Jackson was 33rd and Henderson placed 39th.

Early-season struggles, big win

Washington state prep bowling squads start their seasons earlier than other winter sports. Sequim dropped its first four decisions before upending Bremerton 5-2 on Nov. 24 — their first win against the Knights in school history.

Henderson led the squad with games of 145 and 180 as Sequim won the first game, both Baker-format games and overall pin total (1,283 to 1,259). Cheyenne Huffman was second on the team with a 208 total over two gams, followed by Kaleigh Cassal with 178, Quinn Danielson at 168 and Stauss at 164. Myranda Dye led Bremerton and was second overall with 298 pins over two games.