Many things changed when the class of 2009 left the halls of Garfield High School. A diaspora of “blaow” swept across the country, leaving Garfield in a wake of smoke, with no one to jock the basketball stars or make beats and drop albums anymore. The bowling team was also nearly decimated and might have ceased to exist were it not for one dedicated ’010.

Last year, Garfield had a predominantly ’09 bowling team. For the past couple years, the team has consistently placed solidly in the middle of the league. Three years ago, they even made it to state.

Losing all of their most committed members to graduation, senior Michael Haruta has stepped up to keep the team alive and bowling. Although this is his first year on the team, he says that had he known about it last year, he would have wanted to join. That is why one of his goals for the team this year is to get the word out to the entire school.

The most major difference between the team last year and this year, besides the players, is that in order to make the team more accessible, Haruta wants to focus more on practicing rather than matches. Hopefully, this will make the team less intimidating for new players.

“Although our new players may be inexperienced,” syas Haruta, “I have a feeling our Garfield bowlers are naturally talented and will have no problem keeping up.”

Another change that the team has undergone is in finances. Each match and practice costs money; matches are eight dollars and practices are five. However, there is no sign up fee which all school teams (as opposed to club teams) have, so the costs will even out over the course of the season.

Individual teams themselves consist of at least five people, sometimes a few more. Currently, there is one girls team consisting of five seniors and one junior, and a boys team of Haruta, seniors Austin Hills and Charlie Pace, and junior Graham Davis, though they are currently looking for one more member to complete them.

Technically, the league began their season three weeks ago, but due to late paperwork from the team, their season has been a bit delayed. However, once they are up and at it, matches will be at various bowling alleys around the greater Seattle area.

In the words of Haruta himself, “I haven’t gotten a chance to see anyone bowl yet, but I’m expecting great things.”