McNary bowling starts season, seeks support

The McNary High School bowling team is hosting fundraisers to help support its season, which is in full swing.

Fourteen Celts signed up for the team and they started practice on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

“We are probably $900 away from not having to charge any kids a dollar to play this year,” said Head Coach Denny Eubank.

Players congratulate a team bowler at practice on Thursday, Oct. 2. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

Eubank didn’t expect the turnout. Now, the program must pay entry fees for boys and girls teams at every tournament. The coach said the team needs community support.

The program is accepting cans and bottles at The REC: Lanes, located at 3500 River Road N. Patrons can drop off cans and bottles during open hours through Monday, Nov. 3, or call 425-299-3967 to have their can stash picked up.

Keizerites also can buy pizza from Little Caesars, located at 3830 River Road N., to support the team through Monday, Oct. 24.

Hayden Geurin celebrates a good bowl during practice on Thursday, Oct. 2. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

The team receives some revenue from certain pizza specials through Monday, Oct. 24. One deal includes two pizzas, two liters of soda, and a bundle of breadsticks for $26. Orders must be made through the McNary page for the Little Caesars promotion.

The team is also selling merchandise through an online store, which includes t-shirts, crewnecks, and gym shorts. Ten percent of the revenue goes to the bowling team, and people can buy the clothes online.

“We had to double our money,” Eubank said. “We had to double the jerseys we had to buy, double the entry fees – we had to double everything.”

The McNary High School boys’ bowling team. Top row (from left to right): First row. Denny Eubank, Quinn Woodrow, Marco Saldana, Hayden Geurin, Draven Harris, Kyle Read. Botton row: Leo Schaadt, Jacob Cohn, Caleb Vaughn. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

The McNary High School girls’ bowling team. Top row (from left to right): Denny Eubank, Eleanor Keady, Emma Martinez, Kaylie Powell, Kyle Read. Bottom row: Caytlin Rojas, Allie Eubank. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

The team has three sponsors so far, including Capitol Auto Group, MWM Remodeling, and The REC: Lanes. Eubank is still looking for a title sponsor for the team’s first tournament on Sunday, Nov. 16, at The REC: Lanes.

“That would be a $500 sponsorship,” Eubank said. “That basically puts your name on every social media post we put out about the tournament, flyers at the tournament, and all the scorecards will have the company name.”

Those interested in sponsoring the team should contact the coach by email at [email protected].

Hayden Geurin aims for a strike at McNary High School bowling practice on Thursday, Oct. 2. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

The team practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays at The REC: Lanes. Next week, Oregon State University’s head bowling coach will put on a clinic for McNary bowlers.

Here’s the team’s schedule for the season:

The Rec, Sunday, Nov. 16, 8:00 a.m.
Cottage Bowl, Saturday, Nov. 22, TBD
Firebird Lanes, Sunday, Dec. 7, 8:00 a.m.
Starlite Lanes (Dallas), Saturday, Jan .10, 8:00 a.m.
Silvercreek Lanes (Silverton), Sunday, Jan. 11, 8:00 a.m.
District 2 Tournament (Firebird Lanes), Saturday, Jan. 24, 7:30 a.m.
State Tournament (Park Lanes, Hillsboro), Friday through Sunday, Feb. 27 – Mar 1, 7:00 a.m.
Caveman Bowl, Saturday and Sunday, Mar 14–15, TBD

Caleb Vaughn aims for a strike at McNary High School bowling practice on Thursday, Oct. 2. (RILEY ELLIS/Keizertimes)

News tip? Contact reporter Riley Ellis: [email protected]

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