Montville Bowling Team's State Title Spurs Another 'Clap Around'

Second Championship in Single School Year is Cause for Celebration

An unprecedented win was cause for an unprecedented celebration. On Tuesday at 1:15 p.m., Montville Township High School [MTHS] held its second “Clap Around” in a single school year.

Before the start of the last period, students and faculty lined the hallways of MTHS as they clapped and cheered. The source of the jubilation was the MTHS Varsity Bowling team, who won the Group 3 state championship. The players, led by Coach Wayne Guarino, paraded through the rotunda and along all of the halls. Students and faculty high-fived the players as they passed.

This is the second time in the 2013-2014 school year the MTHS community has had an opportunity to hold a “Clap Around.” The first was following the fall season when the Girls Varsity Tennis Team secured the Group III State Championship.

“Most schools don’t have an opportunity to do this once in a school year,” said MTHS principal, Douglas Sanford. “We’ve had two teams win a Championship this year. That’s something to celebrate.”

Sanford inaugurated the “Clap Around” tradition last fall in honor of the Girls Varsity Tennis team’s Championship win.

In addition to the students and faculty of the MTHS community, Superintendent, Dr. Paul Fried, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, Andrea Selvaggi, attended the celebration.

A relatively new program to the district’s sports program, the championship bowling team is just two years old.

“I'm so proud of the boys and what we've accomplished this year,” said Coach Guarino. “We posted a 3,250 three game total to beat defending champions Sayreville, and Group III powerhouse, Franklin Township.” 

In addition to the Championship, players Justin Puchalski, Karl Kattermann, Erik Kattermann, and Patrick Teshima were named 1st Team All-Conference. Additionally, Matt O'Dea was named to the 2nd Team NJAC.