The Spartans rallied from a 67-pin deficit after the individual series to knock off Charles City by three pins at the Crystal Bowl in Grundy Center.

Grundy won, 2,930 pins to 2,927.

“It was a dogfight, we’re both good bowling teams,” said Grundy Center co-coach Justin Beenken. “We really gripped down and picked up spares and I was really pleased with how they finished.”

It’s the second best team score for the Spartans in team history, trailing only a 2,959-pin output on Dec. 14, 2023 in Grundy Center against New Hampton.

T-R PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER - Grundy Center freshman Abigail Butler celebrates after rolling a strike during Monday’s bowling meet against Charles City at Crystal Bowl in Grundy Center.

Everyone is back for the Spartans from last year’s squad, led by returning state qualifier Britt Meyer in his junior season after finishing 18th in the Class 1A meet last season.

GC senior Jacob Hoy led the Spartans with a 456 series on Monday that included the Spartans’ high game with a 233. Michael Lang had a 434 series and Meyer rolled a 424. Alex Kiewiet and Gabe McMartin rounded out the team scoring from the individuals with series totals of 349 and 339 pins.

It came down to the very last Baker game, where Grundy Center rolled up a 181 compared to a 165 for the Comets to sneak out the win.

Grundy Center lost its season opener with Decorah last Tuesday but didn’t have too many full team practices under their belt due to having members missing because of the state football championship run.

“The captains set up the Baker lineup and we just let it ride,” Beenken said. “I only jump in to help when a shot is too heavy or too light, otherwise it’s up to them. It was a really great improvement from our first match.”

T-R PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER - Grundy Center junior Britt Meyer rolls during Monday’s meet against Charles City at Crystal Bowl in Grundy Center. Meyer rolled a 424 series to help the Spartans secure the win.

A young Spartan girls squad fell to Charles City by a 2,186 to 1,645 margin.

Abby Butler, one of three freshmen in the starting lineup, led Grundy with a 260 series with games of 145 and 115. Quinn Beenken, team co-captain along with Mo Allen, rolled a 241 series, followed by Allen with a 233, Keely Bender at 208 and Maycee Stolzman the final counting score with a 174.

“Unfortunately, we just aren’t as experienced as Charles City,” Justin Beenken said of the girls. “But we’re learning, and this was a really good experience.”

The Spartans will get a couple weeks off before hosting the final meet of 2024 back at the Crystal Bowl against New Hampton on Thursday, Dec. 19.