After taking down Lowell and Forest Hills Northern in the same week, the boys bowling team was considered one of the hotter teams in the OK White; as of late, though, the Rangers haven’t been able to find their footing. In games like Wednesday’s against Byron Center— a game the boys lost 27-3 and the girls 30-0, poor spare shooting has hurt the green and white. 

“It’s [The losing streak is] difficult for them [FHC’s bowlers],” head coach Terry Metzner said. “We still need to work on spare shooting, but I like how everyone is progressing so far.”

These are the tug-of-war battles that some coaches have to go through day in and day out. “My team is practicing really well right now and showing glimpses of future success, but my players still aren’t delivering consistently like I want them to; what should I do?” 

The dialogue doesn’t stop there. Sophomore Wes Baldwin, who was one of the few bright spots for FHC on Wednesday with a 213 in Game One, has been outspoken about how it can be confusing as to whether or not coach Metzner or other coaches should be upset with a team that’s struggling but at the same time working hard. 

“I feel like as a team, we were just a lot more energized and positive,” Wes said. “We definitely struggled at points, but I was impressed with how we were supportive of each other; Byron was a very difficult team to go up against.” 

Things won’t get any easier for the girls and boys next Monday, as both teams will have to hit most, if not all, of their spares if they want to keep the game close against Northview.