By Joe Nolan ’20

           Nearly one year ago, Chaminade’s varsity bowling team secured the coveted Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) League Championship, their seventh consecutive title. From that moment, the team, under the direction of Mr. Terence Fitzgibbon ’00, has set its eyes on achieving an astonishing eighth consecutive CHSAA League Championship title.

Starting the 2018-19 bowling season, the Flyers returned to their winning ways. They vanquished league rivals, including the Holy Trinity Titans, the St. Anthony’s Friars, and the Kellenberg Firebirds. The team eventually attained a perfect 12-0 record.  When the playoffs rolled around, the keglers defeated the St. Dominic’s Bayhawks, securing a spot in the annual Catholic High School Athletic Association League Championship.

On Thursday, February 7th, the Flyers faced off with league foe St. John the Baptist, ranked second in the league, at AMF Wantagh Lanes. Led by a 708 series from Marcus Alaimo ’20, the Flyers handily defeated St. John the Baptist by a score of 8-1, thereby capturing their goal of their eight consecutive league championship.

With the exception of a rare tie against Kellenberg in 2017, the graduating seniors Paul Igel, Matt Capellupo, and A.J. Rivera enjoyed four years of undefeated, unchallenged dominance in the Catholic High School Athletic Association.

“Having been undefeated for four years in a row means a lot to me,” explained co-captain Paul Igel ’19. “To start, we’re arguably the best team in the history of the bowling program here at Chaminade. In the four years that I have been here, we were the only undefeated team, and it really means a lot to me to be a part of that legacy. Additionally, some teams never get the excitement of winning one championship; to say that every February for the last four years we got to lift a championship is incredibly special.”

Paul’s co-captain Matt Capellupo ’19 had no shortage of enthusiasm regarding the success of the program. He explained, “To me, each league championship has served as a symbol for the hard work, dedication, and teamwork that existed during each of my four bowling seasons. We have been fortunate enough to have a constant rotation of great bowlers, which has contributed to the overall success of the team. Four championships, as well as being one of the only Chaminade team members to go undefeated in all four seasons, is an honor that I will always share with my teammates and Coach Fitzgibbon for years to come.”

Despite the departure of the team’s senior members, Head Coach Fitzgibbon has an optimistic outlook about the team’s future.  “We are graduating a talented group of seniors who have offered exceptional leadership throughout this season,” stated Coach Fitzgibbon. “Their presence on the team will be missed, but we have rising talent that we are excited to see fill in the roles of the departing seniors.”

With the team in the hands of the juniors, namely Marcus Alaimo ’20, Paul LoGrippo ’20, and League Individual Champion Christian Freel ’20, Chaminade’s bowling team, which has firmly established itself as one of the most successful teams ever to sport the Crimson and Gold, has its sights set on hoisting the CHSAA Championship for a ninth successive season. Roll Flyers!

More information about the Flyers’ success is detailed in Newsday.