The Cinnaminson High School bowling teams experienced a season of contrasts with the girls’ team enjoying considerable success while the boys’ team worked to find its footing. Though both teams boasted winning records, the girls’ squad stood out for its strong performance and supportive team dynamic.
Head Coach Al Miller, who returned to coaching in 2021 after a brief hiatus from coaching, emphasizes inclusion and opportunity as his core coaching values. He said he sees the greatest potential for team improvement in the mental game, which he focuses on during practices and in discussions.
Coach Miller highlights junior Ian Jungblut as a consistent high scorer as well as junior Chase Gallant as a dedicated worker and supportive teammate.
“Ian is our top boy currently, he consistently posts high games and high series at matches. He is also a captain for the team,” Miller said. “Chase stands out as a hard worker, captain, a good teammate, and almost like another coach on the lanes.”
On the girls’ side, he recognizes the trio consisting of Abby Gordon and Alianna Miller, both sophomores, and junior Elliana Malave as potential top 100 state contenders by each girl’s senior year, respectively.
“[…] all three girls… could potentially rewrite the CHS record board,” Miller said.
As the coach, Miller works with bowlers on the fundamentals of the physical game before progressing to more advanced concepts like aiming and lane play.
“I’m by myself as the head coach, and I think that once you get past the initial teaching, a lot of bowling coaching comes down to suggestions (like what is going on) in my opinion, you should do x, y or z and it ultimately comes down to the bowler’s willingness to accept direction,” Miller said.
While the girls were locked in a divisional rivalry with Bordentown, the boys were focused on continuous improvement.
Both groups had some tough challenges during the season as shown through the teams’ difficulties playing Bordentown, Pennsauken, Ewing, and Burlington. Other than that, in many of the team’s other matches, the Pirates and Lady Pirates won by a crushing victory each time, with scores like 4-0 and 3-1.
There were also some huge achievements in the 2024-2025 season, with several players having recorded over 10,000 pins in total for their varsity bowling career. Other student standouts included junior Jon DePhilippo and sophomore Alianna Miller, who both surpassed 15,000 career pins. Junior Ian Jungblut and senior Noah Jacquet both reached over 20,000 total pins in their high school varsity bowling careers.
Gallant, a team captain, attributes the girls’ success to their determination. He suggests the boys focus on individual frames rather than overall scores.
“I just think it’s their willingness to like to try new things and learn new things and willingness to improve,” Gallant said. “I think the boys need to stop focusing too much on the score and start focusing on the individual frame, just trying to throw the best shot and learning from that shot to move forward.”
Gallant said he combats pressure by listening to music, specifically Rob Bailey’s “Beast,” and advises new bowlers to prioritize improvement over immediate results.
Junior Elliana Malave, a varsity bowler, whose stats show sharp improvement since last season, averaged 144 pins per game and recorded a high game of 208 pins. She praises the girls’ supportive environment and suggests the boys could benefit from increased team spirit. She highlights fellow teammate Abby Gordon’s significant improvement this season and emphasizes the importance of mutual support.
“I really think within the girls’ team we all really support each other and help each other get better,” Malave said. “I think sometimes the boys do lack a little spirit and when they’re losing they get a little down so I think a little more spirit might help them.”
Malave said she also carries a lucky panda for good luck. She also advises new bowlers to persevere, emphasizing the potential for improvement with dedication.
Sophomore Abby Gordon, another key player on the girl’s team, agrees with the importance of team support and focus. She credits her father, a former high school bowler, for inspiring her to join the school team. Her stats have also improved since last season, having averaged 157 pins per game this season and an outstanding 215-pin high game.
“My dad played in high school, he was top five in the state, so I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Gordon said. “That’s what inspired me to join the team.”
Gordon said she relies on her teammates for support during high-pressure situations and acknowledges the mental aspects of the game as her biggest challenge. As a sophomore, she will continue to be a leader in future seasons.
Junior Jon DePhilippo emphasizes both teams’ positivity. He said he believes focusing on individual performance rather than the opposing team is crucial for success. According to DePhilippo, deep breaths and strategic thinking are necessary for managing pressure. He boasts an impressive 221-pin high game and averages 148 pins per game.
“So if we know that our boys are better than their boys then we have to look at it confidently but most of the time what’s most important is personally how you do and what the other team does shouldn’t affect how we play,” DePhilippo said.
Overall, the Cinnaminson bowling teams demonstrated a commitment to improvement and a strong sense of community. As the girls enjoyed their success, the boys were determined to elevate their game until the end of the season, setting the stage for an exciting future for the bowling program.
