Decorah group wants bowling to be the next varsity sport at Decorah High School

Oneota Lanes signage seems hopeful

On Monday night the Decorah Community School Board will discuss approval of bowling for boys and girls as sanctioned sports within the guidelines of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association (boys). The sport has been sanctioned by those groups since 2007, and 2009, respectively.

Since earlier this fall Decorah resident Keith Bruening and Oneota Lanes' owner Jim Salisbury have been meeting with a group of high school students on Saturday mornings, teaching them the etiquette, strategy and techniques of bowling. About 20-40 students gather each Saturday morning.

The bowling season roughly corresponds to other winter sports, and could have a general budget outlay of about $4,000. Many familiar school systems have sanctioned bowling programs, including: Charles City, Independence, Oelwein, North Fayette Valley, West Delaware, Vinton-Shellsburg, Waverly Shellrock, and Western Dubuque.

The program appears to have established student interest, and as stated from Superintendent Mike Haluska's agenda comments for Monday night:

"Most importantly, this will provide us with a sanctioned activity that will reach a segment of our student population who rarely participate in our athletic programs. Along that line, we know from our local data that the more involved in activities our students are, the more a part of DHS they feel and that translates into higher student achievement. "

The Board will meet beginning at 5 p.m. Monday night.

Jim Salisbury leads Saturday morning group in warm ups

Part of the regular Saturday morning group