The Pirates Bowling team had high expectations going into the 2022-2023 season as they won the previous season’s conference, county, and sectional championships. The team returned three of their five starters, including KC Campbell ’24, John Cirelli ’23, and Luca Rispoli ’23, and foresaw an incredibly bright future. Campbell was a top bowler in the state during the previous season, while Cirelli and Rispoli were both awarded all-conference awards in the 2022-2023 season. 

As the season began, the boys filled the two remaining open spots with Nick Dragone ’25 and Desmond Cavanaugh ’24. Both were critical components to the team’s later success. In their first tournament, the team placed second behind Montville, who was ranked top 10 in the state. Further, Campbell led the way with a high series of 721. Also, Rispoli notched the best game with 277. Rispoli stated, “It was one of the best feelings in the world. To shoot the best game out of over one-hundred players really boosted my confidence going into conference play.” This showing early in the season placed them seventh in the state. 

Once the Super Essex Conference began, the Pirates were red-hot. They started out conference play with nine straight wins and held the top spot in the SEC. Later in the season, they went on to win the conference. Their highest series was recorded against Livingston when they recorded a 3,155. They ended the season with a 14-2 record and headed into the Essex County Tournament with tons of confidence. At the county tournament, the team scored 2,977, winning by over 100 pins.  

Cirelli stated, “It was a great accomplishment to win back-to-back county championships. I’m looking forward to states.”  

This also led three players onto the top 12 individual county tournament, the most in Seton Hall Prep Bowling history! Each player was able to place in the top 5 in all of Essex County, 5th place being Cirelli, 3rd place Nick Dragone ’25, and 2nd place Campbell. 

As the team headed down to New Brunswick for the Group IV State Championship, they were extremely confident in their abilities to win. But unfortunately, they came up short, placing fourth. Although this was not the outcome they envisioned, there was much to be proud of, and all returning members foresee a bright future ahead. Some returning members going into the 2023-2024 season include KC Campbell, Cavanaugh ’24, Antonio Taveras ’24, and Nick Dragone ’25. These four will pave the way next year, and it will be an exhilarating season for the bowling program.