Conrad leads solid group on Brick’s bowling team
By Wayne witkowski
Staff Writer

Chris Conrad, an All-Shore selection who finished 24th in the state last year on Brick Township’s boys’ bowling team, says he feels even bigger things may be in store this year with the season half-completed.

He made that point in the Green Dragons’ last dual match, a three-game sweep of Point Pleasant, when he shot a season-high 735 series that started with a season-high 278 game. That series exceeded his high of 726 last year in the NJSIAA South Jersey section tournament.

"I definitely feel I’m doing better," said Conrad, who has an average of 208 as Brick Township stands in second place behind crosstown rival Brick Memorial. The top two teams in the South A Division make the Shore Conference Tournament next month. Conrad’s average is two pins below last season when he got off to a fast start.

"I was struggling in the end of they year, trying make the states last season and not bowling as good," said Conrad. "My approach and throwing is better. This year I’m picking up my spares. I try to put a little more hook to the pocket but don’t go beyond 15 to 20 boards unless I have to."

His coach, Cara Lokosius, agrees.

"He’s a steady bowler who is able to adjust to lane conditions," said Lokosius.

There was not much adjustment needed Saturday when Conrad and his mates competed in the 17th annual Brick Invitational, which will count toward Conrad’s bid to repeat as All-Shore. Conrad bowled a 624 off games of 227, 214 and 183.

There were 32 boys’ teams, which forced the addition of a second flight to the schedule for the second straight year, and Brick Township finished in sixth place in the team standings with 3,217 total pins. Brick Memorial was second as a team with 3,293 pins behind Westfield’s 3,351. Walter McKnight of Brick Memorial bowled a 275, the second highest game of the Brick Invitational, and finished with a 717 series

"The lanes are fast in the beginning but you have to watch after a while when the oil starts to dry," said Conrad.

"I felt like I was going to do well because it always helps if you know the bowling alley. It all boils down to putting a little more speed (on the ball)."

As well as Conrad is doing, a freshman — left-handed Mike Haberman — is doing just as well with a 210 average. Haberman came on strong Saturday in the Brick Invitational with a 738 pins, good for second place, and only 13 pins behind Southern’s Russ Russo.

Haberman started his day with a 262 game, followed it with a 199 and ended it with a 264. It was his second straight series in the 700s, the first time he cracked that figure in his career.

Haberman eases the rebuilding of a team that lost five seniors, including three regulars, from last year’s fourth place finisher in the Shore Conference A South Division.

"It’s nice to have someone fill in who is so young," said Lokosius.

John Pinto, a junior who saw significant action last year, uses his strength toward a 200 average. He rolled a 620 series of consistent games of 207, 210 and 203.

Rob Osborn, a sophomore, was on the alternate third team last year, but he and sophomore Bob Kilmas worked hard at their games over the season, says Lokosius, to take on leading roles. Osborn has a 193 average while Klimas averaged 196 before leaving the lineup for knee surgery on Dec. 22. He’s expected back sometime late next week.

Gary Hayes, a junior who was on junior varsity last season, has capably stepped in for Klimas and had his best outing on Saturday with a blistering 632 series that included a torrid 247 second game.

He also bowled 203 and 182. Ryan Edwards, a senior, also gives the team a little better depth than usual.

"I’m happy because this is a great group of kids who really like each other and work well together," said Lokosius.