East Islip Freshman Places In National Bowling Competition

EAST ISLIP, NY — One East Islip student is being celebrated for his strikingly athletic accomplishments.

Matthew Sundberg, an incoming freshman at East Islip High School, recently placed in the top 15 percent of athletes at the 2022 U.S. High School Bowling National Championship, hosted by the U.S. High School Bowling Foundation in Louisville, Kentucky.

The three-day competition took place from June 18 to 20 and featured both singles and team events, East Islip School District said.

Matthewwas one of the youngest competitors, and ranked in 49th place in a field of 354 varsity boys, the district said.

On the first day of the competition, he bowled a four-game set and averaged 215.75 for the day, enough to move him to the first cut where the field went to 180. He was ranked in 36th place.

Matthew then made the cut to top 90 on the second day of the competition, and was ranked in 24th place. During the next round, lane conditions changed, but he managed to cover all his make able spares.

He was eliminated at the end of the round after a few splits, falling just seven pins short, a press release said. Over the course of two days, Matthew missed only one make able spare.

He is currently competing in the under-20 category at the 2022 Junior Gold Championships, held from July 11 to 15 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

According to a press release, this was the sixth U.S. High School Bowling National Championship event to showcase the best boys and girls high school bowlers from across the country.

Athletes from more than 25 states were in attendance.

Matthew, who recently graduated from East Islip Middle School, finished second in Suffolk County this year with a 233 average, earning him All-Star honors as well as All-League and All-County recognition.

“Matt has a really super future ahead of him, and represents East Islip with pride and outstanding sportsmanship whenever he is on the lanes,” said coach Judy Fischer. “This was a wonderful opportunity for this young man.”