New bowling coach strikes smiles

Melanie Rasmussen/Staff Writer

Chemistry and bowling at Cedar Falls High School are about to collide. Chemisty teacher Bradly Baker is the new coach for the Bowling team.

Supervisor Gary Koenen informed Baker about the opening for coaching. “Mr. Koenen and I talked last spring about the fact that there was going to be an opening for a bowling coach, and then this fall he asked if I was interested in taking over,” Baker said.

Before coaching for CFHS, Baker had coached at Fairfield for two years. “I have been bowling pretty much my whole life. My parents were both bowlers, and I started in youth leagues and bowled in high school before bowling in men’s leagues.”

There has been 2 games in which CFHS lost both but are expected to be in good shape when the season moves on. “The team has started slowly, but we are improving. We are 0-2 right now, but we played two tough teams in Dubuque Hempstead and Cedar Rapids Prairie.” Baker said. The team will be expected to do well by February. “I think if we continue to improve, we will be ready to make a good showing in February at the sub-state tournament.” The team is progressing and will practice until perfect.

Students on the bowling team have nothing but good things to say about Baker. “He is too cool for school. He helps us work towards our goals and score higher” Junior Aj Langle said. “He taught us how easy it is to pick up spares and do good at the sport. I was not on the team last years but he makes it fun. It’s like bowling with your buddies.”

Junior Kaitlin Izer is new to the CFHS bowling team and enjoys Baker’s coaching. “He’s very encouraging so like when we do something wrong he tires to tell us what we could do better.”