Seaford boys bowling places second in state team championship for second straight season
The Seaford boys bowling team places second at the state Division II team championships on Friday in Syracuse. Credit: /Ben Cleeton
SYRACUSE — For the second straight year, Seaford found itself in a battle for first place in the final game of the state boys bowling team championship.
Seaford totaled 6,144 pins to finish second in the state Division II championship at Strike ‘N’ Spare Lanes on Friday. The Vikings fell 10 pins short of Marlboro’s (Section IX) 6,154 pins.
Seaford entered the sixth and final game trailing by 42 pins. Andrew Ceraulo shot a 215 in Game 6 and finished with a 1,313 series. Daniel Walsh rolled a 210 and had a 1,143 series.
“We tried to seize the moment today. We came out and performed well, but just came up short again,” Ceraulo said. “We really came together as a team. We coached each other and tried to be leaders for one another.”
Seaford shaved four pins off Marlboro's lead in the fifth game as Brian Karaman rolled a 235 and Cooper Caruso shot a 203.
“It’s a blessing to have the opportunity to be up here with this team, just trying to rise to the occasion whenever we’ve needed to,” Ceraulo said. “Being top two in the state is still an honor and something I can be proud of.”
Marlboro led by 175 pins after three games. The Vikings totaled their lowest output of the day in Game 1 with 970 pins but had their highest total in Game 4 with 1,123, trimming 119 pins off the lead. Ceraulo rolled a 245 in Game 4 and Walsh had a 234.
“Especially with this being a rematch, we were pushing right up until the end,” Ryan Falta said. “We caught up, did everything in our power, but just fell a few short.”
Falta had a 1,214 series, Karaman had a 1,213 series, Caruso a 1,154 series and Brendan Dennehy had a 1,149 series.
Last year, Seaford entered the final game at the state championship with a 43-pin lead. Marlboro outscored the Vikings by 46 in the final game to take the title.
“We had a lot of hope that last year would be the year. We had everyone that’s bowling here today, plus some of the guys from last year that anchored us,” Falta said. “When this season started, we realized we were even better than last year and could have this opportunity again.”
Seaford won its eighth consecutive county title this year but is still searching for its first state title. Four of the Vikings' top bowlers are seniors, but coach Scott Nastazio believes the younger bowlers on the team can have them right back in the hunt next season.
“Each year, we have building blocks. The bowlers who graduate bring the kids along with them. They give them confidence and teach them the ways they can get better.” Nastazio said. “The bowling community in Seaford continues to produce and I’m proud of all the guys up here.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
