For a sport that has only been state-sanctioned for 15 years, the Marshalltown boys’ bowling team has already established a long-standing tradition.

The Bobcat program has claimed two state team championships as well as four individual titles in the sport’s short time in Iowa, so expectations remain unchanged as the new season dawns at Wayward Social.

Marshalltown returns its entire varsity lineup from last season and has added to it in the quest for the team’s 11th straight trip to the state team tournament. Last year’s Bobcat contingent placed eighth in Class 3A, but a day later Aiden Cowan claimed the 3A individual championship — the fourth in program history.

Cowen was one of four sophomores in last year’s starting lineup for the Bobcats, who will only benefit from practicing alongside a state champion every day.

“I think it brings the confidence up for everyone around him,” MHS head coach Nathan Clark said. “He’s a good teammate, very coachable, so that helps. Everyone wants to beat him or be just as good as him so it helps others’ motivation.”

It’s the kind of added boost that could help get the Bobcats over the hump as they pursue the goal of getting back to state for the 14th time in program history.

“It’s very possible, I think we have a good chance at actually making a run at a state title so that’s kind of exciting,” Clark said. “Everyone returned from last year and there’s a new freshman that’s pretty good, too, so we’ll see what happens there. I’m pretty excited.”

The junior quartet of Cowan, Jayden Beichley, Carter McCready and Porter Niedermann return to the lineup after leading the Bobcats in scoring average last year. Cowan’s totals got a boost by winning state, but he closed out the regular season having knocked down an average of 198.75 pins per game. Only one of his games at state came up below that mark.

Beichley averaged 192.45 pins per game, highlighted by a second-team all-Iowa Alliance Conference North Division series of 632. McCready (185.7) and Niedermann (168.35) helped MHS finish third at the Iowa Alliance Conference North Division meet, as did Zackary Morris (156.61) and Cayden Slifer (148.2).

Clark pointed to freshman Korben McKibben as a pivotal addition to the lineup, while junior Gage Grieves will contribute at some point along the way.

“I’ve coached most of the varsity team since they were in seventh grade and they’re all in 11th grade now so they pretty much all understand my philosophy and how we go about things,” said Clark. “I don’t have to repeat myself anymore than I should have to.”

The Bobcats open the season on the road against Alliance North champion Waterloo East on Tuesday at Cadillac XBC.

“It’s pretty much Waterloo East, who we bowl tomorrow, and everyone else is pretty much the same level,” Clark said of the conference. “Basically I’d like to start out on a good note, but I really don’t care if we win or lose as long as we’re doing what we need to do and try our best.

“The only tournament that really matters is the state qualifier. We use these as learning moments to get better throughout the season.”

MHS BOWLING

Tuesday, Nov. 26 at Waterloo East, 3 p.m. Cadillac Lanes

Tuesday, Dec. 3 FORT DODGE, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Ottumwa, 3 p.m. Champion Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 17 AMES, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Mason City, 3 p.m. Comet Bowl

Saturday, Jan. 11 at Louisa-Muscatine Invite, 1 p.m. Rose Bowl, Muscatine

Tuesday, Jan. 14 DES MOINES LINCOLN, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18 at Ottumwa Bakers Tournament, 1 p.m. Champion Bowl

Thursday, Jan. 23 DES MOINES NORTH, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 4 at Des Moines East, 3 p.m. Bowlerama Lanes

Thursday, Feb. 6 WEST DES MOINES VALLEY, 3 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 10 (B) at Iowa Alliance Conference, 10 a.m. Bowlerama Lanes, Des Moines

Tuesday, Feb. 11 (G) at Iowa Alliance Conference, 10 a.m. Bowlerama Lanes, Des Moines

Monday, Feb. 17 (G) State Qualifying, TBD

Tuesday, Feb. 18 (B) State Qualifying, TBD

Tuesday, Feb. 25 Boys State Team, Girls State Team Cadillac Lanes, Waterloo

Wednesday, Feb. 26 State Individual Tournament Cadillac Lanes, Waterloo