Out of all the sports teams at Seattle Prep, the Girls Bowling team might be the most unique. Since its founding seven years ago, the team has exceeded all expectations. And just like any great team, it all starts with a great coach.
The team is led by Coach Mike Massoth. He says that as a child, he didn’t go bowling very often. “Bowling for me was a treat. My parents never took me, so it was up to my grandparents to teach me. Until age 19, I would bowl between 5 to 10 times a year.” Massoth was a baseball player, but his career abruptly ended with a failed physical. However, this unfortunate event opened the opportunity for him to join the WSU bowling team. “That is where I continued to learn and improve to where I am today.”
Massoth says that he ended up as the Prep coach “thanks to the combined vision of starting a program with Mr. Elsner’s blessing.” After extensive searching, he was selected to lead the team. Having not coached high school bowling in a decade, he decided to take on the challenge.
As for the team, Coach Massoth says that they have exceeded all expectations. “Our teams have been incredible considering the experience, or lack thereof, [we have had.]” Despite this, the team has gone on to two District titles and three trips to State.
This season presents a unique challenge with three new bowlers and three returning ones, making it the smallest sports team at Prep. “It truly depends on how quickly we can progress the new bowlers to make them competitive by January, combined with the returners continuing their amazing progression.”
In their first two seasons, the team had to travel for almost every match. However, this created a strong sense of camaraderie among the team. Thanks to Seattle Prep’s success with bowling, they were able to advertise to other Metro schools and grow the league. “We are true ambassadors to the sport as since inviting all these schools we have never won a district or Metro title.” This year however, Massoth is confident that the team will change that.
On and off the lanes, the Girls Bowling team strives to foster a community of friendship, growth, and success.
