The Rhinelander bowling program opened

its 2025 season with a full day of action

across all levels — middle school, JV and

varsity — showing promise, determination,

and plenty of room to grow.

 

Middle School: A Battle to the Final Frame

The Hodag Middle School team kicked off its

season against Wittenberg, ending in a thrilling

3.5–3.5 tie after seven games. Rhinelander

started strong, taking an early 2–0 lead

(113–73, 121–96), before Wittenberg battled

back to win the next three. The Hodags

vened the match in the sixth game (100–94)

before the teams traded shots in a dramatic

finale that ended 139–139 — Rhinelander’s

highest-scoring game of the day.

Natalie anchored the tenth frame with a clutch

spare and near strike to seal the tie. 

 

The team includes returners Natalie, Charlotte and Xane, along with newcomers Haylee, Levi and Marshall. Natalie led the way with seven spares and two strikes, while Charlotte added four strikes and four spares. Xane contributed four spares, with Levi and Marshall both adding key marks in their frames.

 

JV: Two Wins to Start the Season

The Rhinelander/Three Lakes/Elcho/Phelps Co-ed JV squad came out strong, defeating Wittenberg/Wausau 7-0-2 and then topping SPASH 8-1 to open the season 2–0.

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Junior Oren Alsager led the way with 15 strikes, while freshman Charlie Duquaine added 10. Alyssa Habeck and Aubree (Oliver) Doppke contributed steady spare shooting, with Silas Johnson adding consistent support throughout the lineup.

 

Varsity: Splitting the Opening Matches

The Rhinelander boys varsity team opened its Division 2 season with a 1–1 split, falling to Iola-Scandinavia 7–2 before rebounding to defeat Manawa 5–4.

Senior Dominic Hakala led the Hodags with 11 strikes and 11 spares on the day, while fellow senior Blake Klingen added 10 strikes. Newcomer Leander Sprecksel and returning bowlers Jackson Fuss and Brighton Walkowski all contributed key frames, while Eli Miller’s day was cut short by a hand injury in the first match as he closed with 6 strikes, 5 spares and 3 opens.

 

Up Next

All three teams return to action on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Dale’s Weston Lanes for the second high school dual meet and the middle school competition. High school teams bowl at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and the middle school team hits the lanes at 3 p.m.