HARVEST- The Sparkman Senators are prepped in an attempt to capture the 2020 AHSAA State Bowling Championships as both the boys and girls squads are undefeated going into the post-season play.

For the Senators (17-0), junior Cole Arsenault is set to defend his Class 7A State Championship he won a year ago and has high hopes of doing so after posting outstanding regular season results.

“I feel I’m bowling 10 times better than last year and I believe I can repeat,” said Arsenault.

The competition will be fierce from all across the state, but Arsenault’s own teammates may present him with the biggest challenges as three other Senators on the team can certainly make a run at winning the individual title, as well as, help the squad capture the team state title.

Arsenault has a 209 average. He’s followed by Joey Collier (So., 198), Dalton Tolgo (Fr., 191) and Alfonso Carrington (Fr., 188).

Meanwhile, the Lady Senators (13-0) are led by Angela Webber (Fr., 172), Emily Lindsey (So., 162), Daylin Tolgo (Jr., 153) and Ashley Ketchner (Jr., 138).

The sport of bowling began just three short years ago for the 6-foot-3, 165-pound Arsenault after giving up basketball after his years in middle school. His father told him he needed to pick up another sport, so he tried bowling.

“I got hooked very quickly as the sport is much more difficult than it looks,” said Arsenault, who also participates in the Roll-X Academy League at the lanes located on Redstone Arsenal and works part-time at the Madison Bowling Lanes.

Arsenault uses the unorthodox two-handed style of bowling.

“Our team is stacked right now as I was a little scared going into the season after we lost three seniors off last year’s team,” said Arsenault. “Others on our team have stepped up as we have four who can top the 200 mark in every game.”

This year’s rosters have one senior each of the boys and girls squads and three team members had never played outside the recreational realm of the sport. As the season has progressed for both squads each team has sort of stacked themselves into a possible win of a state title. Each squad has the talent to advance to the State Championships and possibly bring home a state trophy.

“Being defending champion- I try not to focus on it as I focus on right now- the game or match at hand,” said Arsenault. “My quick success has come from hard work. If you work hard enough, you will get good enough.”

The North Regionals were to be held at Vestavia Hills while the State Tournament is set for Jan. 23-24 in Pelham.