St. Anthony's boys bowling's Vinny Ferrara lifts Friars to CHSAA title

Vinny Ferrara remembers the defeat St. Anthony's suffered in the championship match a season ago. With another chance to earn a title, Ferrara put together a strong performance to lead the team to glory.

St. Anthony’s defeated St. John the Baptist, 6-3, in the CHSAA boys bowling championship on Thursday at Wantagh Lanes. Ferrara rolled the two highest games of the match, earning match MVP honors. He shot a 213 in Game 2 and a 222 in Game 3.

“We lost in the championship last year, so that makes this feel even better,” Ferrara said. “It’s my first title with the team now. I’m just excited to have even had this opportunity.”

Anthony Mahoney shot a 546 series and Connor Halfen had a 510 series for the Friars. Joe Palladino shot a 201 in Game 3 of a 566 series for St. John the Baptist.

“We bowled great today and that’s what we had to do to win,” senior Gavin Wlodarczyk said. “For me, being able to leave on a win is the best feeling I could have.”

St. Anthony’s earned four points for winning four of the six head-to-head games and grabbed another for total wood, outpacing the Cougars, 3,162-3,014.

“At every point, we had to have the mentality as if we were losing,” Ferrara said. “If you get comfortable, believing you’re in the lead, that’s how you end up throwing away the game.”

Kellenberg: Champions again!

Kellenberg earned its second CHSAA girls bowling championship in three years by defeating St. Anthony’s, 8-1. Kerri Callahan finished with a 505 high series, shooting a 194 in Game 1. The senior was also awarded her second straight Bob Hamilton Girls Bowler of the Year award.

“I’m happy to finish my senior year off with a team win,” Callahan said. “I was struggling a bit and couldn’t figure out my pattern, but I just tried to hit my mark. I'm proud of the entire team and how hard they worked to get us here.”

Jenna Paladino’s 454 series was the second best of the match and her 175 in Game 2 was a personal best. Allie Pilock rolled a 435 series for the Firebirds. Gianna DiAgostino had a 336 series for St. Anthony’s.

“The first game was close, so the nerves were still there,” Paladino said. “After the second game, it started to feel more like we had some breathing room.”

Kellenberg won five of the six head-to-head matchups and had a 2,458-2,109 advantage in total wood.

"This is my first championship with the team, after transferring last year, so it feels amazing,” Paladino said. “Shooting my personal best in such a big situation makes it even more special.”