Xavier senior Tara Trcka has been rolling some high series in the new year. (Cassie Busch photo/Xavier senior)

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By Shannon Mulcahey, Xaver junior

CEDAR RAPIDS – Sometimes participants in different activities do not leave those activities behind when they grow older, but bring them along to the next chapter of their lives.

Xavier senior bowler Kyle Elliott is an example of a passionate athlete who wants to continue bowling for as long as he is able. He is not letting the end of high school end his love for the sport.

Elliott has been on the Xavier  boys’ bowling team all four years and stayed with the program because of the friendships he has formed and the great camaraderie that binds the bowlers into a fun-loving but competitive team. That is not to diminish the importance of the “coach factor” either. He attributes his steady improvement every year to Coach Russ Camacho.

“Coach Camacho is always helping us improve as individuals and as a team,” Elliott said. “Bowling has been a great experience, and I have stayed in the program because of the friendships I have made.”

The boys’ team traveled to Maple Lanes to face Cedar Falls last Friday. The team lost, 2713-2455. Junior Sam Hart was the top series bowler for Xavier, rolling a 338 series.

The Xavier girls’ bowling team could not catch up to Cedar Rapids Washington at the meet Jan. 4. Even with senior Tara Trcka’s 410 series, the highest series out of all the bowlers in the meet, Xavier lost, 2618-2500. However, at the meet last Friday,  the tide turned. The Xavier girls got back into the swing of the season, beating Cedar Falls, 2498-2140. In that meet, Trcka  had a series of 436 followed by senior Abbey Konzen’s 330.

The Xavier boys’ and girls’ teams  host  Linn-Mar at May City Bowl on Friday at 3:45 p.m.