Sports Shorts

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will be sponsoring a Learn to Bowl program. The program serves as an introduction to bowling and on the lanes practice. It will be conducted on Fridays, March 9-30 at the Brunswick Lakewood Lanes on Route 9 and 70 in Lakewood from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The fee for each player is $10. This class is for participants who have never taken a Learn to Bowl class. To register, send a check made payable to the County of Ocean to: Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River, NJ 08753. For information, call toll-free 1-877-OCPARKS. Please note program number when registering. The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders sponsors this program Visit the Web site at www.oceancountyparks.org

The Freehold Tornado 10U girls travel softball team is beginning indoor gym practices for the upcoming 2007 season. Those players who are 10 years old or younger on Dec. 31, 2006, are eligible to play. Players of all skills and experience are welcomed. Only a few roster spots are available, so anyone interested in playing for the Tornado should contact Oscar Boni at (732) 261-0853 or e-mail coachoscarb@yahoo.com for additional information. All of the team's tournaments are played in New Jersey.

Six Brick Recreation Mat Rats wrestlers qualified for the state championships, including the Rackliffe brothers - Matt and Dan - and highly regarded Conor Brennan.

Matt won the 68-pound intermediate division and Dan was champ in the 55-pound junior class in the qualifying tournament held at Northern Burlington High School. Brennan was runnerup in 100 intermediate.

Jack Jachim won the 80-pound midget division, Giovanni Ghione was second in 55 bantam and Alec Donovan was third in 72 midget.

Also for the program, Mat Rats II beat Pinelands, 40-25, to raise its record to 5-2. as Jack Baker (56), Eric Ronmano (62), Anthony Maimone (80), Tyler Richardson (100), Chris Jarvie (110), Matt Musik (120) won by pin and Jack McClafferty (74) won a major decision.

Mat Rats I and II, idle last weekend, return to action on Saturday when they host Howell I and II in a double-dual meet on Saturday.

The Jersey Shore Giants 12U baseball team is holding tryouts for the spring season. Undefeated (7-0) in the fall, they will be playing at Frogbridge on the 50/70 field in Jackson this year. Games on Sundays to not conflict with Little League. They have a long history of accommodating busy-parent schedules. If you have a tournament or near-tournament quality 11- or 12-year-old who loves baseball, call Coach Jeff for a no-pressure tryout at (732) 259-0761 or send an e-mail to jmende@optonline.net.