Bowling program hopes to be spared

With the threat of program closure, Creston High School bowlers and their families are working hard to see their sport live another season.

The Creston Community School Board began talks of closing the bowling program at their February meeting. With enrollment numbers continuing to plummet, the district has been searching for places to make cuts.

Cutting the bowling teams could potentially save the district $18,000. While there are payments to the bowling alleys for use and a stipend for the coach, the main portion of their expenses goes toward travel.

This year, there were 10 students on the bowling team, split evenly between boys and girls. The boys graduate two seniors, Wesley Wires and Hunter Downing. However, students say they have a large handful of new students who wish to join the team next year. Recent discussions around the program have brought the topic up to more students.

“Last year, I did not know there was a bowling team until the season was going on and there were senior posters,” sophomore Janessa Pokorny said. “I was pretty interested and I was like, ‘Oh wait, maybe next year I should join.’”

When the students heard the extracurricular sport could be cut, the juniors were especially unhappy.

“I felt pretty sad because I actually did really enjoy bowling this year. I kind of really got into it a lot more,” junior Olivia Coenen said. “I practiced a little more and I felt, you know, I got more into it. I tried to get better as a player and next year is going to be my senior year; I kind of want to do it for one more year.”

Junior Allen Reed felt the same way, adding that the individuality sets it apart.

“I think it’s kind of important because it’s not like a normal sport,” Reed said. “You can have more fun than just sitting on the bench or you’re just sitting there waiting. It’s kind of more individualized sometimes. So they also get to see how well they’re doing instead of just as a whole team, as a group.”

“It also is like not a heavy contact sport; getting hurt is like a lower chance than in sports like football or like other things,” Coenen added. “It’s not as hard on the body and all. Some people who might just be wanting to have a fun time and join a sport that’s not really energy costing. It might be a good sport for them to try and still exercise.”

Though cutting the bowling program has not been approved yet by the school board, the bowling students and their parents are planning ahead and have started efforts to raise enough money to run the program without funds from the district.

The mom Reed, Amanda Husband set up a GoFundMe for the effort. The $18,000 must be raised by Aug. 1 in order for the teams to participate in the 2026-27 bowling season.

Students also plan to hold various fundraising activities in the future to help drum up support and funding. They say the bowling team is always fun and are afraid to lose that connection.

“The team is really fun and I think we just have a good time,” sophomore Everleigh Bolinger said. “I just think we always have fun when we go. And it doesn’t matter how we do, we just always try and have fun.”

As a mom, Husband has enjoyed seeing the bowling team bring out the best in her son. Her family has even become involved.

“I think it’s a sport that these kids get into now in high school, but they can continue that on through college, through their adult lives. It’s something that they can continue on,” Husband said. “We’re not a bowling family, but now I’ve been going, taking him, so he’s got me into it. I’ve actually bought a ball and it’s something that I look forward to doing with him after he’s out of high school, that we can still interact and have those memories.”

Those interested in donating to the GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/save-creston-bowling-team.