LEWISTON – Lewiston High School collected its second straight Maine State High School Team Bowling Championship earlier this month at its home lanes, Spare-Time Recreation.

The Devils, coached by USA Junior Olympic Coach Jeff Marcotte, entered the tourney as the No. 2 seed, behind #1 Cony of Augusta.

LHS opened the tourney with a 2-game victory over No. 15 Carrabec of North Anson, 2065-1409, led by Senior Brandon Marcotte with games of 247 and 257. Jessica Archer rolled games of 158 and 184 for Carrabec.

LHS then defeated Skowhegan 998-914. Senior Matt Bouchard rolled a 212 game, and Marcotte collected a 201 for a 3-game series of 704. Alex Downing rolled a 210 game for the Indians.

In game 4, Lewiston trimmed Messalonskee, 912-817. Freshman Katy Bouchard, (women’s 2006 individual bowling runner-up) registered a 204 game. Bill Pietraszewski was tops for the Eagles with a 188.

That win advanced the Devils into the championship finals against the Cony Rams. LHS had dropped a match to the Rams at home during the regular season. Lewiston grabbed a 20-pin lead but Cony rallied and went ahead by 20 in the seventh frame. The Devils caught Cony and headed to the 10th frame all even. With a crowd of about 100 looking on, Lewiston’s #4 bowler, Junior Sarah Pelletier, 2006 women’s individual state champ, sealed the Maine title by striking out in the frame, finishing with a 221 game. LHS prevailed 947-887. High bowler for the Rams was Jason Mansir with a 202.

The state champs averaged a 196.88 over the 5 games in the tourney. Bouchard was named Most Valuable Player. He entered the tourney with a 166 average but finished the 5 tourney games with a 208 average.

Coach Marcotte notes that money is in the budget for the school to become a recognized varsity sport for the 2007 season. There are 17 Maine high school teams now competing in bowling, he said.