Yes, bowling will be a varsity sport at Decorah High School

On Monday night the Decorah Community School Board approved bowling as a sanctioned varsity sport for boys and girls, effect for the 2016-17 season. School officials, the Board and Decorah resident Keith Bruening all cited student interest, and the ability to involve students who may not be otherwise involved in activities. It was also noted that there is a current void in athletic competition for girls during the winter sports season.

Since earlier this fall Decorah resident Keith Bruening and Oneota Lane's owner Jim Salisbury had been meeting with a group of high school students on Saturday mornings, teaching them the etiquette, strategy and techniques of bowling. About 20-30 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.

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. "