Coached by Erik Jennings (left), Lahainaluna High School bowlers include (from left) Malu Rosenthal, Calen Matsuda, Jake Ryan, Tyler Ihu and Alisha Costan.

LAHAINA – The Lahainaluna High School bowling program continues its upward climb in the Maui Interscholastic League standings with an influx of athletic newcomers, along with the steady leadership of several veteran rollers.

Led by fourth-year coach Erik Jennings and assistant Clint Johnston, the Luna girls and boys improved over past years to the point where they are now holding down a spot in the middle of the MIL standings among the teams from Baldwin, Maui High, King Kekaulike and Saint Anthony.

“We’ve become more competitive in the league this year,” said Coach Jennings, a Special Education teacher at Lahainaluna, last week.

“The season is going really well for us, and it has been exciting for all of us.”

Team captain and three-year bowler Kaili Ann Tuipulotu leads the way for the Lady Lunas along with Terra Miller (leading scorer), Brittnay Tru, Marla Ito, Abigail Hadura and Alisha Coston-Chung.

The boys squad includes Tyler Ihu, Malu “Rolls Royce” Rosenthal, Jake “The Joker” Ryan (leading scorer) and freshman standout Calen Matsuda.

“We practice just one day a week and have games on Thursdays and Saturdays,” Coach Jennings explained.

“The people over at the Maui Bowling Center in Wailuku are always very accommodating, and we certainly thank them for their support of the MIL. Hopefully, someday we can open up a bowling alley here in Lahaina so that the kids and the community will have more access to the sport.

“We send our appreciation out to all the parents on the team, and especially to the Ryan family, for supporting the kids. Also, thanks to our athletic director, Scott Soldwisch, for his help and to all of the league coaches for their support. They have made it a really exciting season,” said Jennings.