Just days after a 29-1 victory over Lowell, the same team that started off the season with a 26.5-3.5 loss and held a 0-4 record heading into Winter Break broke a four-year drought in the most satisfying way possible. 

No matter what they say, each bowler on the boys bowling team felt an added load of pressure ahead of Wednesday’s game—pressure that stems from FHC’s losing streak with FHN for the past four years.

“As of last week, we had never beaten Northern in my career,” senior Zach Guikema said. “I think the losing streak might have even extended out past my time with the team, so it definitely added some pressure.”

Early on in Wednesday’s rivalry match, Zach and his teammates showed no signs of stress or nervousness when they got up the hill first thanks to a 33-point baker-game victory. The Huskies would go on to take the second baker game, sending a huge sigh of relief through their bodies.

“Even though we lost the second baker game, we weren’t too fazed; we were more excited than nervous,” sophomore Wes Baldwin said.

With excitement in his toolbox, Wes won both of his individual matchups, including a 202-146 blowout. Lopsided affairs such as that one gave Northern zero chances to spark a comeback. The Rangers never lost two individual matches in a row on their way to beating FHN for the first time in four years.

“It’s one thing to start out hot, but it’s another thing to finish a match strongly,” head coach Terry Metzner said. “Yesterday [Wednesday], the boys didn’t let up on the gas.”

Unlike the boys team, the girls team was considered winless prior to the match on Wednesday. At one point during the match, it looked as if the girls would make a strong push at the end. However, freshman Sam Sturgis and sophomore Olivia Smith’s efforts weren’t enough in the Rangers’ 25-5 loss to the Huskies.

“There are still things that they [the girls] need to work on, but at the same time I’m pleased with their development so far,” coach Metzner said.

Looking ahead, both teams will get another taste of action on Saturday, January 22, at the Zeeland East Baker Tournament.