Ryan senior is pinning
down a championship

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

It came down to the very last frame.
A difference of only 15 pins would determine the new Catholic League bowling champion.
And thanks to Archbishop Ryan senior Brittany Neill’s final strike, the Ragdolls claimed that honor during the PCL finals on March 10.
"It was so exciting," said Neill. "It was a great match, and we were really happy to win it."
Ryan, which competed in the title match for the fifth straight year, walked away with a win for the first time since 2000 after edging Little Flower High School, 2,098-2,083, in their title meet at MacDade Lanes in Delaware County.
"It hasn’t completely settled in yet, but it feels really good," said coach Andrew Martin. "During the championship game, the girls were real loose and having a good time."
This is Martin’s first championship victory with the Ragdolls. The Northeast Philly resident got his start by coaching the junior varsity squad in 1996, eventually moving up to varsity during the 2003 season.
"We all had a great season this year," said Martin. "I enjoyed coaching the girls, and I love how the sport brings the girls closer together. They are very supportive of each other. They’re all having a good time out there, giving high-fives. They always cheer each other on."
With a squad composed of only five members, the Ragdolls have become much more than teammates — they have formed friendships that go far beyond the bowling alley.
"The teammates all get along really well," said Neill, who lives in Mayfair. "We spend a lot of time together. We’re all friends, which helps us when we’re competing."
Neill was the highest scorer of the championship, with a combined total of 605. Teammate Nicole Gatto contributed 554, while Megan Martin, the coach’s daughter, had a 493 series. Dawn Friedrich had a total score of 310, and Brittany Frazer rolled 136.
"It was a tough match against a good school, Little Flower," said Martin. "The competition was good. It brought out the best in both teams."
The victory was slightly bittersweet for Martin, who was forced to compete against a longtime friend, Little Flower coach Jack Rooney.
"I know him very well," said Martin. "He taught me how to coach and how to bowl. He taught me everything."
It looks like Rooney did an excellent job. Martin followed his mentor’s lead. In addition to coaching the Ragdolls, Martin plays in a weeknight league, where he taught his wife and two daughters to bowl.
"I really enjoy coaching," said Martin. "It’s in the blood for some reason. I can’t get rid of it."
And his daughter Megan doesn’t seem to mind. "He’s taught me a lot," said Megan, who has been bowling for the Ragdolls since she was a freshman. "It’s nice to have that in common. And I think he’s definitely helped me improve."
The co-captain will be stepping up as a senior next year, a leadership role she is looking forward to.
"I’m looking forward to being a senior," said Megan. "And I really want to win again. I want to keep that championship title."
The girls now have a chance to put away those bowling shoes for a while, before turning to a new season and defense of their title. The season typically spans mid-November through March, which will give the Ragdolls some time to relax and enjoy their victory.
"It feels so good to win it all," said Martin. "These girls, they did all the work. They’re the ones who put the ball down on the lane. They were the ones who took themselves to the championship. When they needed to win, they were there and they won.
"I can take credit for pointing them in the right direction, but they deserve 110 percent of the credit because they’re the ones who won," he added. "It’s the team that wins it." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com