Kaitlyn Zheng has achieved a remarkable milestone for the Holy Angels bowling program by winning the school’s first Bergen County girls individual championship on February 3, 2024. Her outstanding performance at the Bergen County Girls Individual Tournament in Hackensack not only highlights her personal success but also marks a significant moment in the program’s 29-year history.
Zheng’s journey to this historic victory began with an impressive qualifying round, where she posted a three-game series score of 711. This performance secured her the top seed in the five-bowler stepladder bracket. In the finals, Zheng continued to shine, recording eight strikes in her first nine frames and finishing with a high game of 255. “Winning this [county title] was a nice moment to help me cap off all these past four years of hard work,” Zheng remarked. “It shows that good things can come from all the hard work you do.”
The senior’s achievement comes after leading the Holy Angels to consecutive Bergen County team titles and their first state championship since 2017. Head coach Patrick Dunne praised Zheng, stating, “She was like a buzzsaw today. She is so confident in her abilities. She’s become a top-notch bowler over these last four years.” Zheng’s high series of 711 marks the second time she has recorded a 700 series, following her personal-best score of 740 earlier this season.
Determined to improve on her third-place finish in the previous year’s county tournament, Zheng showcased remarkable consistency throughout the event. She exceeded 235 pins in three of her four games, culminating in her crowning as county champion. Zheng expressed her desire to inspire future Holy Angels bowlers, saying, “I want to be a role model to the underclassmen and future Holy Angels bowlers. I want them to make history too.”
Sibling Rivalry and Remarkable Performances
Another standout during the tournament was Bergen Tech sophomore Hannah Kim, who made an impressive run through the stepladder bracket. Kim, starting as the five-seed, faced her sister, Rayna Kim of Fort Lee, in the first round. The sibling matchup concluded with Hannah edging out Rayna 197-189 after a strong finish in the last four frames. “I was very happy to hear that I was going to face my sister,” Hannah shared. “It was a very calming experience. It was just like any other game we had against each other.”
Following her victory over Rayna, Hannah secured a 217-187 win against Layla Grund, a junior from New Milford, in the quarterfinals. The semifinal against Fort Lee senior Jenah Yang proved to be a nail-biter, with both bowlers tied at 192 after ten frames, necessitating a two-frame roll-off. Demonstrating her mental fortitude, Hannah managed to win the roll-off, earning her first finals appearance. In the finals, she recorded her best game of the tournament with a score of 223, finishing with an average of over 205.
Reflecting on her experience, Hannah noted, “It was very nice to place second [at the Bergen County Individual Tournament]. It was all about staying mentally strong. If I made a bad shot, it was up to me not to let it mess me up.”
Top Qualifying Scores
The competition featured several impressive performances in the qualifying round. The top ten scores were as follows:
1. Kaitlyn Zheng, Holy Angels – 711
2. Jenah Yang, Fort Lee – 672
3. Layla Grund, New Milford – 655
4. Rayna Kim, Fort Lee – 615
5. Hannah Kim, Bergen Tech – 609
6. Lauren Chung, Holy Angels – 605
6. Jenna Grossman, Bergen Tech – 605
8. Kaitlyn Zens, Bergen Tech – 598
9. Kaitlyn Bielins, Cliffside Park – 589
10. Nora Colwell, Demarest – 579
Kaitlyn Zheng’s historic win and Hannah Kim’s notable achievement highlight the growing talent in girls’ bowling within Bergen County, setting high standards for future competitors. The accomplishments of these athletes not only contribute to their personal legacies but also enhance the reputation of their respective programs.
