City, county governments honor Southern Lee bowlers
Mar. 7—After winning a state championship, accolades have been pouring in for the Southern Lee High School men's bowling team.
On two consecutive nights, Lee County Government and the City of Sanford honored the hometown winners, with Lee County commissioners proclaiming Tuesday as Southern Lee High School Men's Bowling Team Day during their Monday meeting and the City of Sanford honoring the team Tuesday night.
Mayor Rebecca Wyhof Salmon asked the members of the team and their coaches to join her in the front of council chambers as she read a proclamation for the team.
"This is an exciting day for our community," she said.
The Southern Lee Men's Bowling Team rolled through the state finals, knocking off the two-time defending champions from Scotland County and then Pinecrest High School to win the program's first state championship on Jan. 11.
The Southern men's team consists of Carter Hasley, Mark Lovick, Tucker Maria, Landon Lovick, Blaine Downing, and Markel Brown. Brown won the individual men's championship, rolling a 221 to defeat Landon Weindel from St. Pauls. Head coach is Vicki Wilkins, and she is assisted by Peggy Gunter and Wayne Gamble.
Salmon said the team members were "impressive representatives of their school and the city."
Wilkins spoke on behalf of the team and talked about their efforts and adversity it faced.
"We are so honored to be here this evening," she said. "We appreciate the invitation so much. It is a huge honor to be a member of an athletic team, a club — anything like that — like these young men behind me did this is season is amazing to watch."
Wilkins also thanked Gunter and Gamble noting that "between them, there is 100 years of bowling experience — and they are still bowling."
"This team is who they are because they aided us, they assisted us, they've been with us since the program began," Wilkins said. "I cannot say enough wonderful things about their commitment to this team and these young men. But I also want you to understand something. We do not have a bowling alley. We are the only team in the conference that does not have a bowling alley. We are the only team of the 10 teams that competed in the state tournament that do not have a bowling alley. I think that tells you about the dedication and commitment of these young men."
Sanford's only bowling alley, Kendale Lanes, burned several years ago, and was razed last year. The Southern Lee team heads to Aberdeen to practice.
Wilkins urged city and county officials to come together in an effort to establish or attract a bowling alley. Wilkins also spoke about the team's pride for its community.
"We just want to say to you, we are Southern Lee High School, but it's not about Southern Lee," she said. "It's Southern Lee High School, City of Sanford, County of Lee. All of these young men, the coaches and myself, we represent all of what is in our home county."
