PERKASIE, PA – It is rare that someone can say they are the first to ever do something. In Maribeth Baker’s case, she can. Last school year she was the first freshman to ever make the Pennsylvania State High School Bowling Championships for Pennridge High School.
Each year, only 24 bowlers advance to the state championship after a regional qualifier. The top 12 bowlers from both the Eastern and Western Regionals make it to create the final field. Unfortunately, the state championship was canceled because of the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, but simply getting there is challenging enough.
Maribeth Baker - Suburban One League High School 2020 singles champion - Photo courtesy of M. Baker.
Baker qualified fourth out of 135 girls in the Eastern PA Regional Championship. Her total pinfall for the event over five games was 1067 pins, which comes to an average of 213.4 pins per game. After a step ladder style playoff, Baker finished third overall at the event. While qualifying for the state championship is one of the most difficult accomplishments for a Pennsylvania high school bowler to achieve, Baker has her eyes set on returning and hopefully winning in future years.
Normally there are not high expectations for freshmen to come in and immediately produce, but Baker was different. Her involvement with bowling started at a young age and her skill has also grown with her.
“When I was little, my dad brought me bowling when I was five or something and we signed up for the kids bowl free system, which was fun. From there, I joined some leagues and got better. Then it just happened I guess,” said Baker.
Her early start playing the sport allowed her to immediately flourish when she finally reached high school. She helped Pennridge win the Suburban One League American conference title and qualify for the team regional event. Her 197-season average allowed her to qualify for the individual regional and was second on the team to senior Kelcie Mannon. In her inaugural high school season, Baker also won the SOL American end of season tournament to cap off an impressive regular season.
Pennridge would perform superbly at the PA Eastern Regional team event last year. The team finished in eighth place, the best finish in school history, and only two spots away from the team qualifying for the state championship. Baker again bowled well at this event, finishing second on the team with a 558-three-game series.
Pennridge graduated two seniors last year, so Baker will be expected to continue to be a positive force for the team.
Pennridge coach Kris Detweiler emphasized how Baker needs to keep working on her skills, while also looking to depend on her for support in the future.
Pennridge High School - Suburban One League High School 2020 team champions - Photo courtesy of M.Baker
“She needs to mature and obviously practice because practice makes perfect. I think the more that she does these competitions and the more advice that she takes from her coaches, will only make her better,” said Detweiler. “I will lean on her for leadership, in helping me coach the girls, as well as doing team building which she is really good at. It seems like this will be a good season. I will absolutely lean on her.”
Outside of bowling for Pennridge, Baker takes playing extremely serious and has diligent practice habits that rivals that of top athletes in other sports. This dedication has enabled her to win multiple tournaments all over the country.
Baker was named the SYC 2020 Youth 15 Overall Champion at the national tournament in Tennessee after taking three gold medals in overall, short and long. - Photo courtesy of M. Baker.
“I normally like to go [practice], out of seven days of the week I will go five days,” said Baker. “This year I won the SYC (Storm Youth Championships), a national tournament in Tennessee and that was absolutely amazing. That was my highest accomplishment.”
On the weekend of January 9, Baker traveled to Virginia to compete in the DMV Collegiate/Youth Tournament, a tournament created to provide a competitive environment for bowlers who desire to compete at the collegiate level.
“I was in the older group that had to average 185 or higher on a sport shot pattern,” said Baker. “I was the only girl to make the top cut put of almost 40 bowlers and finished 7th.”
Even after all her success, one of the things that was evident through talking with Baker and others is how cheerful and modest she is. She seemed to want the best for everyone and is appreciative of everything that people have done to help her along the way.
This was even seen through rival North Penn coach Don “Saddle” Stadnycki. Coach Saddle has known Baker her entire bowling career from being in the same adult-child league and has seen her grow as both a person and bowler.
He spoke highly of her character and believes she will be pivotal in the success of Pennridge’s program moving forward.
"She (Baker) is very personable and outgoing. She will be able to coordinate her feelings with almost any kid coming out. She is really a helpful person. She's not overconfident or cocky. She's out there to help everyone and do the best she can always," said Saddle.
So far, Baker is starting her sophomore season out the way she left it. On Friday, Jan. 15, Pennridge opened play with a four-game victory vs. Upper Dublin. Pennridge won 542-441, 604-496 and 567-478, with an overall total of 1713 to 1415. Baker had her highest high school match performance to date with a 225, 277 and 244, which is a 746 series.
Baker was part of the winning Kegel Cup Teen Masters 2020 team PA in Virginia - Photo courtesy of M. Baker.
“[This season] my team [goals] and my personal goals are to repeat our wins in the Suburban One League as a team and as individual champion,” said Baker.
Looking ahead, Baker and the Rams will take the lanes tomorrow at Earl-Bowl against North Penn High School.