Braddock coach knows firsthand how bowling can ‘bring people together’

Braddock girls’ bowling coach Lacey Soriano can vouch for the bonds her favorite sport can create, and that’s because it’s how she got to know her husband, Michael.

They met as Braddock bowlers in 2015-2016.

Fast forward seven years, and Soriano, 24, is in her third year as a Braddock science teacher and bowling coach.

“I like the team aspect of bowling,” said Soriano, who was a captain and a first-team All-County bowler as a senior. “Your score counts, but you also have to pick up your teammates.

“There’s a friendly environment. Everyone knows each other, and it’s not isolating like some other sports.”

Soriano has six girls on her 2022 bowling team. In almost every case, she said, her girls weren’t sure about the sport when they first signed up, but then something changed.

“They ended up falling in love with the sport,” Soriano said, “and the team became like a family.

“Most of the girls on our team didn’t know each other when they signed up, but now they are the best of friends.”

The Braddock team is comprised mainly of four senior returners: Jennifer Cruz, Stephany Lopez, Lia Valdes-Cardenas and Karen Rojas. There’s also sophomore Vanessa Rodriguez, who is in her second year on the team; and senior Amanda Rodriguez, the only newcomer on the squad.

Soriano said her team dedicated itself to bowling this past summer, joining a league at the Bird Bowl lanes.

They invested in their sport – literally – as most of them spent about $200 each to buy a bowling ball.

“These girls have taken on the challenge of learning how to curve the ball so that they can better improve their games,” Soriano said. “They show excellent teamwork. They encourage and motivate each other to succeed.”

Soriano said her bowlers also excel academically.

Rojas, for example, spent this past summer as a scholar in the Hutton Junior Fisheries biology program, doing research on coral reefs.

A 17-year-old, Rojas was born in Cuba and raised in Miami since age six.

“All my life, I’ve been surrounded by water,” said Rojas, who said she plans to attend FIU and hopes to ultimately become a doctor. “I love the ocean. I took a marine science course last year, and I found it cool to be able to identify and know about coral reef.

“I love marine life and wildlife. I have volunteered at Zoo Miami, and I believe in preservation and conservation.”

As for bowling, Rojas said her teammates have inspired her.

“Joining the bowling team was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Rojas said. “It’s cool that bowling is an actual sport.”

Or, as her coach puts it: “Bowling brings people together.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ Key dates - This week: Regular season matches began; Oct. 14: Youth Fair Invitational at Bird Bowl; Oct. 20: GMAC championship at Bird Bowl; BCAA championship at Sparez; Oct. 24-27: District meets; Nov. 1-3: State championships at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando.

▪ Archbishop McCarthy’s boys are two-time defending district champions and will be led by four siblings. Colin Boisvert (182), a senior, is the reigning individual district champ. He is joined by his twin brother Conner, also a senior, and brothers Cody (191) and Cole (185) - both sophomores. Senior Aidan Metellus (171) also has a sister Alyssa, a sophomore on the girls’ team. The girls will be led by seniors Isabella Brelage and Anabella DeLucia.

▪ Krop’s girls’ team, which has won four straight district titles, is led by junior Thalia Nelson (137 average).

▪ Nova’s boys’ team is led by Lane Meister, who has a 185 average.

▪ Palmetto’s boys will be led by sophomore Evan Viener (199) and its girls will be led by senior Maggie Meltzer (124).

▪ Columbus is led by seniors Chris Ferrer (190) and Alejandro Johnson (180).

▪ Western’s girls’ team is led by freshman Kellie Monahan, and the top boys’ bowler is sophomore Lucas Gonzalez.

▪ Ferguson’s girls’ team is led by senior Samantha Abreu, and the boys’ squad is led by sophomore Isaiah Lacayo.

▪ Colonial Christian’s top bowlers are junior Owen Easom for the boys and senior Keyanna Sanchez.

▪ South Plantation’s boys are led by junior Chad Seals and senior Peyton Jones while its girls are led by sophomore Joss Collins (180) and senior Emily McCoy.

This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 8:00 AM.