Eisenhower boys bowling regroups with young squad

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Eisenhower High School varsity boys bowling took the Michigan bowling world by storm last year, earning the Macomb Area Conference-Red title and a shot at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state championship.

While Eisenhower would earn the runner-up title after falling to Livonia Franklin, seniors Carter Milasinovich — who was first-team all-state — Jacob Matheson, Chandler Matheson, Donovin Cynowa and Nolan Horne brought memories of the 2020 MHSAA Division 1 state championship Eisenhower team back to life. Milasinovich, Horne and Jacob Matheson were all a part of the 2020 championship team.

Craig Matheson, who is the head of Eisenhower’s bowling program, said the 2022 senior class’s contributions have continued into this season.

“They were definitely unique,” Craig Matheson said. “They were very hard workers, and they’ve all been in the bowling alley giving back to this group.”

The loss of senior leadership will be a huge blow to the young squad, but a duo of sophomore sensations will look to anchor Eisenhower as it gets back to its winning ways.

Sophomores Dylan Harnden and Kingston Corpuz, who both bowled for the team in the state finals last year, will look to be the top-two bowlers for Eisenhower this season. Corpuz was a contributor for both junior varsity and varsity throughout the season but will be a full-time varsity player this season.

Harnden, who bowled a 173 in the state finals, said the transition to being one of the leaders came quicker than anticipated.

“It’s really, really fast because I didn’t think I would be able to do it, but I’ve also gotten a lot of respect for being able to handle it,” Harnden said.

Harnden was a constant contributor for Eisenhower last year and has only improved in the offseason.

Matheson emphasized a couple of Harnden’s traits that especially impress him.

“It’s his work ethic and the knowledge of the game,” Matheson said. “Since the day I met that kid, he’s been in the bowling alley five to seven days out of the week. His ultimate goal was to get on the team last year with those guys.”

Harnden’s work ethic has been contagious for the team; senior Jadyn Chyda, senior Brandon Rinke and Corpuz have all been practicing their craft since the end of the 2022 season.

“I know Jadyn, Brandon, Dylan and Kingston have basically been in the bowling alley since last season ended,” Matheson said.

Chyda, Rinke and senior Nick Paulson bowled at the junior varsity level last season but will look to be reliable scorers for Eisenhower this season.

With only two bowlers having varsity experience, and both being sophomores, Matheson said that adjusting will be the real test for the season.

“We knew what the expectation was and all the kids knew what the expectation was because they had done it for three years, but this group doesn’t have that varsity experience,” Matheson said.

Harnden said the seniors helped him grow both as a leader and as a bowler.

“They gave me a lot of confidence, and every time I struggled, they always kept me up,” Harnden said.

Eisenhower will likely go head-to-head with Macomb Dakota for the top spot in the MAC-Red.
Matheson said he expects his team to be right back in the state finals mix.

“I think, with this group of kids, we could definitely make a run,” Matheson. “It’s definitely a question mark; they’ll have to learn on the fly.”