On Jan. 23, 2025 at Jersey Lanes in Linden, New Jersey, the Raider bowling team captured its second consecutive Union County Tournament Championship win, the fifth in school history and a first for new head coach Joanne Guarnuccio.
“It was awesome being able to replicate the same accomplishment this year that I was able to watch during my freshman year on JV,” sophomore Braden Steer told The Fanscotian. “For many of us, it’s our first year on varsity so we’ve looked up to [last year’s team] since they set a high standard and expectation for the program.”
The Raiders entered the tournament with the number one seed in the county after reaching a record of 9-2 (as of Jan. 27). The Raiders faced off and came out victorious against Union (3-0), ALJ (3-2) and Elizabeth (3-1) in the finals.
Then on the following day, Jan. 24, sophomore Braden Steer finished as the fifth best bowler in the county during the Union County Individual Tournament. Senior Nate Leversee went on to finish sixth in the tournament, and juniors Jonah Leske, Mike Savare and Reid Buehler placed 14th, 17th and 20th respectively.
“I don’t know how I [placed fifth], I guess it was my lucky day and my opportunity to turn up for the moment,” Steer said. “I wore my lucky socks and it was amazing to place fifth especially because it’s my first year on varsity.”
The team now stands at 11-2 after a victory against Cranford on Jan. 30 as they look to continue their success and winning ways as they take on Linden on Feb. 4, and Rahway on Feb. 6.
