Bowling might not always get the same attention as Friday night football or packed basketball gyms, but for East Grand Rapids athletes, the competition is just as intense. Match by match, the bowling team has worked on growing their confidence and focus. At the center of that progress is Blake Sherman ‘26, whose leadership on the lanes has helped to elevate the entire team. 

“Blake got a few of us into it, and he’s a better bowler, so he has taught us a lot,” James Gingras ‘26 said. 

Currently sitting at a 4-6 record, the Pioneers have faced a challenging schedule but are continuing to improve as the season progresses. 

“I enjoy that it’s easy to tell how you are getting better,” Gingras said, “You can see when your scores get better, and it’s very simple compared to some other sports.” 

For Sherman, that measurable progress is part of what drew him to the sport in the first place. Sherman committed to bowling his freshman year because his brother was on the team. 

“A lot of people think bowling is really easy because it’s so repetitive,” Sherman said, “But at a high level, it’s very difficult because there are lots of variables and factors.”  

Despite that, Sherman still appreciates the balance the sport offers. 

“It is more laid-back and is ultimately a fun activity to play with friends,” Sherman said, “it can also be taken seriously, so it offers the best of both worlds.”

Blake is one of the best bowlers in the state with a personal best score of 267. Recently, Blake won a USCB bowling tournament, where he bowled seven straight 200+ rounds in order to secure the win.  

One of the biggest differences between high school bowling and bowling individually is the emphasis on teamwork, particularly during Baker games. In baker format, bowlers rotate frames to create one combined score, meaning that every strike and spare directly impacts the entire team. 

“Bowling on a team is different from bowling individually because you can get to work as a team during the baker’s,” Nick Tjoelker ‘26 said. 

That team-based structure has pushed the Pioneers to rely on each other. According to Tjoelker, one of the biggest improvements since the start of the season has been both individual and team scores, reflecting the work put in during practices.

Sherman has also played a key role in the team’s development. Beyond his performance, Sherman actively helps his teammates refine their form and approach.

“Blake has a huge impact on my experience as he helps the team learn specific techniques to try and improve our scores,” Tjoelker said. 

One of the most memorable moments from the season came during a duos Baker tournament, when Tjoelker and his teammate Grady Groneveld ‘26 bowled together and upset Hudsonville with a score of 161. 

This season the bowling team has grown in numbers and competence. Blake encourages people to join saying “the bowling team at East Grand Rapids gets a sort of bad reputation, but I think that is completely undeserved because it is really fun and easy to get into” 

As the season continues, the team’s goals remain centered on improving their scores. With leaders like Sherman guiding the way and a roster committed to pushing one another, East Grand Rapids bowling is showing that progress comes from both patience and focus.