MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay - This year, the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band’s bowling team took first place, with a combined score of 2,888 at the 101 Days of Summer bowling tournament at K-Bay Lanes, June 6.
MarForPac broke Wounded Warrior Battalion West — Detachment Hawaii’s two-year consecutive winning streak this year, taking second place with a combined score of 2,611.
“I’m saddened that we could not defend the title this year,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Mannino, administrative clerk, Wounded Warrior Battalion West — Detachment Hawaii. “Can’t take first, might as well take second. Couldn’t have lost to a better team. Everybody had a good time.”
Mannino also won high game category, scoring the only 300 in the tournament. Gunnery Sgt. Brad Rehrig, the drum major for the MarForPac Band, won in the high series category, with a combined score of 747.
“I could have done better,” Rehrig said. “You can always do better. I did what I had to do for my team to come in first place.”
MarForPac perhaps also had the “upper hand” with Sgt. Chad Ranton, a percussionist with MarForPac Band, the team’s unofficial “secret weapon,” wearing a small costume as a “distraction.”
Like last year, this year’s tournament was a “no-tap sweeper format,” meaning if nine pins are knocked down on the first turn, it counts as a strike. As game time began, the teams were shrouded in darkness, lit only by colored lights and the dark blue glow of cosmic bowling mode.
Lance Cpl. Tyler Daum, meteorologist, for Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, came out for his first tournament Wednesday.
“I like bowling, and it’s my day off, so I got talked into it,” Daum said.
Daum, a native of Firestone, Colo., usually bowls at least six times a month, with an average score of 160-170.
Lance Cpl. Nathan Stahl, also a meteorologist at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, regularly plays in the Commander’s Cup Bowling League, though this was his first 101 Days of Summer bowling tournament.
“[101 Days of Summer] gives everyone an opportunity to try different things,” Stahl, of Latrobe, Penn., said.
The junior Marines weren’t the only ones enjoying themselves at the tournament. Many staff noncommissioned officers, like Gunnery Sgt. Edwin Hidalgo, the first sergeant for Headquarters Company, Marine Aircraft Group 24.
“What MCCS did today is outstanding for the Marines,” Hidalgo said. “It’s good for the Marines, good camaraderie.”
Some competitors have more bowling experience, like Mannino and Rehrig, who both competed in the Hawaii All-Military bowling tournament earlier this year.
Others were just getting back in the game, like Gunnery Sgt. Brian Foster, company gunnery sergeant, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Wednesday night was Foster’s first bowling game in more than a year. He aimed for an average score of 170 by the end of the night.
“Not doing too bad for my first game,” Foster said. “It’ll get better as I go along.”
Capt. Mike Kline, services company commander, Headquarters Battalion, said the tournament gave people the opportunity to get to know each other while bowling together, and an opportunity for newcomers to try out K-Bay Lanes.
Sgt. Leah TenHulzen, production control, MCAS Kaneohe Bay learned how to bowl from her teammates.
“I didn’t know it would be this fun,” TenHulzen said. “I’m so happy that I came.”
The members of the top three teams, MarForPac Band, Wounded Warrior Battalion West – Detachment Hawaii and MALS-24, received gold, silver and bronze medals. MALS-24’s overall score was 2,276. Vanessa Reyes, of the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 51 team, won the lowest score category.
Neil Morgan, Marine Corps Community Services’ acting Health Promotions coordinator said there was a fantastic turnout, and enthusiastic bowlers. The coordinators are considering making next year’s event two days to accommodate the demand. Elden Doi, manager, K-Bay Lanes, encourages all to register early next year to ensure a spot. Doi appreciates the tournament being hosted at K-Bay Lanes, and extends his congratulations to the MarForPac Band team.