Comsewogue's Anthony Manetta paces Section XI to state boys bowling title

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — White cowboy hats, gold medals and the memory of a lifetime; there’s no more fitting way to describe Section XI’s triumph as New York’s new state composite champions.

Suffolk placed first with 6801 total pins in the boys' section composite of the 2024 state tournament, the first time Section XI has won since the 2017-18 season. Section VIII finished sixth with 6367 total pins among 11 competing sections in Syracuse Saturday at Strike 'N Spare Lanes.

Anthony Manetta of Comsewogue lit up the lanes, finishing with the best high game of any bowler with a 279 in Game 3. He didn’t bowl lower than a 213 throughout all six games and helped Section XI's "all-stars" secure a 47-pin victory over Section V with a 255 in Game 6. The senior finished third in total pins among all bowlers with 1,408.

“It’s one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had,” Manetta said.

Manetta was the only bowler from Section XI to finish inside the top 10, epitomizing just how well-rounded this Suffolk team is. Whitman’s Christopher Rinaldi sat just outside at 11th while the entire team finished inside the top 30, with four bowlers inside the top 20.

“It’s one of the best groups we’ve ever had,” coach John Romero said. “They worked very hard for four weeks . . . they bought in, encouraged each other and picked each other up.”

Each bowler provided signature moments. Longwood’s Corey Volper delivered high fives so vigorously after bowling his fifth straight strike in Game 5 — finishing with a 245 — that Romero had to hold his hand for a good minute. East Islip’s Andrew Jacobsen bowled seven strikes in a row in Game 4 as he finished with a 254 game. Deer Park’s Vinny Petrillo held up all five fingers with a sly smile after his fifth consecutive strike in Game 5 before bowling yet another a frame later. East Islip’s Matthew Sundberg dominated Game 4 with 10 total strikes leading to a 269 score before bowling another nine strikes a game later on the way to a 236 game.

“After coming up short the last two years, it’s such a good feeling to be able to win this finally and take a championship home,” Sundberg said.

The group bought white cowboy hats at a mall the night before and wasted no time passing them around after winning Saturday. The team also bowled a game on Friday night to prepare and get used to the environment, which could explain how Section XI stayed consistently strong, even managing 79 more pins over the final three games than the first.

Wheatley senior Joseph Dolezal had a terrific day on the lane for Section VIII with a high game of 259 in Game 1 along with a 233 and 248 in Games 2 and 3, respectively. He finished sixth among all participants with 1370 total pins.

“I was in such a good mindset, and I just wanted to keep it going,” Dolezal said.  "I definitely exceeded [my expectations].”

Dolezal said his grandfather introduced him to bowling at a young age and while he bowls for fun, making his grandfather proud is a worthy prize in itself. Section VIII had its best score in Game 6 with an 1167, despite a top finish being out of reach. Mepham’s Lucas Lam added a 229 in Game 1, and East Meadow’s Rich Erik bowled a stellar 260 in Game 3.

“It’s more about how you are together as a team and how you build,” Dolezal said. “We didn’t give up… you learn a lot that you just can never give up.”