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Girard bowling coach looks ahead to tourney
GIRARD
“You might want to call me back in February,” Girard High bowling coach Mike Mikulich said about a return phone call when the regular high school season ends and tournaments begin.
Mikulich’s comment stems from his optimism as the 2010-11 schedule began last week.
On Wednesday, when Girard was scheduled for its first regular-season competition following a snowed-out match last Monday, the coach sounded like he was jumping ahead.
“We’re looking forward to the end of the season,” Mikulich said of his expectations for the Indians to contend at the end when sectionals roll around.
For now, however, Mikulich has to rewind to the present.
“The kids are anxious to get the season started,” he said before Wednesday. “There are nervous emotions because some are new kids. The veterans might be concerned how those new bowlers react, but they’ll help.”
Mikulich is in his 10th year as head coach. He handles Girard’s boys team while assistant Bob Parillo guides the girls. Both boys and girls teams are composed of seven varsity/seven JV members.
Last season, Girard’s girls won the All-American Conference’s White Division.
The varsity girls were a six-member squad last year and all are back, plus an additional one. Top returnees are Nicole Hollanbaugh and Megan McNicholas. Top boys are Clayton Cupan and Tyller Shonce. All are seniors but Shonce, a sophomore.
The boys were also a six-member squad last year before losing one for academic reasons, but Mikulich picked up two more bowlers this year.
“I love seeing the kids improve every year, especially the progression from their freshman through senior seasons,” the coach said. “Watching them bowl well makes me feel good,” Mikulich said.
He is also the head mechanic at Kay Lanes — home of the Indians.