The 2024 Crusader Classic, held at Bowler City in Hackensack, NJ, brought together an impressive field of 32 boys/coed teams and 18 girls teams for an evening of high-energy competition. Delbarton's Varsity Bowling team rose to the occasion, delivering a standout performance to secure a 3rd-place finish with a total score of 2781.
 
Bergen Tech claimed the top spot with a remarkable 3022, followed by Montville in 2nd with 2881. Delbarton edged out Demarest (2778) in a tight race for 3rd place, showcasing the team's resilience and determination throughout the event.
 
Team Highlights
Delbarton's bowlers delivered several personal bests and clutch moments:

• Matt Tyrone led the team with a stellar 623 series—a new personal best, including a high game of 213 and clean games in both Game 1 and Game 3.
• Dylan Scarpati also achieved a personal best with a 594 series, including a high game of 223 and a string of four strikes to close out Game 2.
• David Reale added a consistent performance with a 514 series, highlighted by a clean third game and a high game of 209.
• Connor Tyrone stepped up in his single start, closing his game with five consecutive strikes and bowling a solid 206.
• Steven Corcoran contributed a high game of 180 in his two starts.
• Cole Dionyssiou posted a 492 series over three games, including a high game of 175.

A Tournament of Momentum
The day started with Delbarton bowling a 927 in Game 1, placing them in 9th. Game 2 saw a slight dip to 890, raising concerns about falling out of contention. After finding a little bit of energy that they had left in the tank, the team rallied in Game 3, executing a remarkable stretch of 26 consecutive closed frames to finish with a strong push into 3rd place.
 
The camaraderie on the lanes was evident, particularly while sharing a pair with Union City, who placed 10th overall. Both teams celebrated each other's successes, exchanging high fives and mutual encouragement throughout the evening—a true testament to the sportsmanship the Crusader Classic embodies.
 
Looking Ahead
The Crusader Classic, which honors Tom Irwin, continued its tradition of fostering competitive excellence and mutual respect. With this 3rd-place finish following their 4th-place result at the Greg Rottengen Memorial Kickoff Tournament, Delbarton's season is shaping up to be a strong one.
 
The team now turns its focus to an upcoming match against Madison on Tuesday and Kinnelon on Thursday before competing in the Blue Devil Classic at Jersey Lanes on Saturday morning. We're excited to build on this momentum and continue aiming for even greater heights!