Unified Bowling Roster Swells to 50 Players

Huntington High School’s varsity Unified bowling team is more popular than ever, drawing a roster of 50 to its late winter season. Coached by physical education teacher Lauren Blackburn, the Blue Devils were captained by Connor DiBennedetto, Julianna Ackerman, Hannah Kaufman and Dennis McCook.

“All of our captains have been on this team since its inception and have been crucial members,” Blackburn said. The squad practices and plays its home meets at Larkfield Lanes in East Northport.

“This team is the most amazing group of kids I have ever coached,” Blackburn said. “They are so nice to one another and always cheering each other on during their matches. It makes me so proud to see everyone coming together to represent Huntington through Unified Sports.”

The Blue Devils will be graduating a core group of players in June, “but we’ll be returning the majority of our team,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn and athletic department officials are exploring ways to accommodate the remarkable interest in the program. All concerned are loath to make traditional cuts and are instead looking to possibly establish as junior varsity team or to split the varsity into two separate squads and perhaps add two meets to the current six meet schedule.

Several pre-season intramural sessions are expected to be offered again next winter. Students interested in joining the program should reach out to Blackburn.