Jacob Michaud finally has the chance to roll along with the same athletic experience that his parents had more than 30 years ago.
Steven and Maria Michaud graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1989 and 1990, respectively, and were proud members of the school’s bowling team. They were also a few of the last students to enjoy that experience as the program went dormant in 1991.
Last year, it was revived after 31 years, and it’s now bigger, louder and more exciting than ever.
Jacob Michaud is the captain of Camden Catholic’s boys team and was one of the main catalysts, along with coach Joe Nawn, in bringing back a program that was dearly missed.
“I love this team,” said Michaud, who is now a senior. “I’ve been wanting it ever since I stepped into high school. And I’m forever grateful that Mr. Nawn was able to get it going so quickly. He got it going the year he came into the school. The fact that we were even able to bowl a few matches the first year was amazing. And now we’re here and in a conference and can make it to the playoffs.”
Nawn is a math and computer science teacher at Camden Catholic with a long list of coaching and playing experience that ranges from coaching high school bowling at Devon Preparatory School and Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School in the Philadelphia Catholic League, as well as competing as an adult in the USBC Masters of the Professional Bowlers Association.
Despite the attention he’s received over the years, one of Nawn’s proudest moments is helping Camden Catholic revamp its bowling teams for both boys and girls, although he deflects much of the recognition he gets for it. Nawn joined the staff at Camden Catholic at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year and almost immediately went to work helping Michaud achieve his dream of bowling for the Irish.
“I get to Camden Catholic and I’m the new guy on the block, but I’ve been teaching and administrating for 34 years,” Nawn said. “I get here and I hear that there’s this kid who likes to bowl and wants to start a bowling team. But it was October already, and there was no budget money for a team. So we went out and raised more than $8,000.”
Funds were in place and so was a home venue. Well, sort of.
“We were somewhere else and we thought we were locked in,” Nawn said. “Then they said we can’t have you in January and February. This was the first day of the season, and I’m like, ‘What do you mean I can’t have January and February? That’s the middle of our season.’ A mutual friend told me to call John [Clotworthy] at Westbrook Lanes [in Brooklawn], and his first response was, ‘When are you coming?’”
Clotworthy is a Gloucester Catholic graduate and the owner/general manager of Westbrook Lanes. He’s now a good friend of Nawn’s and is an assistant coach with the Irish. Westbrook became Camden Catholic’s new bowling home, and Michaud was able to step out from in front of the cameras and into a different spotlight. He’s the sports reporter for Camden Catholic Television and delivers the morning announcements for the athletic teams at school. He’s careful not to get carried away, boasting about his team.
“It still gets the same attention,” Michaud said with a laugh. “Even though I’m reporting it, I make sure everyone gets their fair share. The worst part is when I have to announce myself. I have to be humble about it.”
That’s most mornings.
Michaud was averaging 211 a game through four matches this season as the Irish’s boys team was 3-1 to start the year. His first four series ranged from 625 to 644, providing a model of consistency in the early part of the season. Michaud’s junior year ended with a successful showing at the state tournament, and he’s looking to build on it.
“He finishes 66th in individual state championships out of 250 bowlers and walks up to me and says, ‘Sorry I let you down, coach,’” Nawn recalled. “My eyes got as big as dinner plates. Let me down? Are you crazy? And he’s just gotten better.”
The boys team has plenty of talent along the lanes as Chase Wolk, Sean Lacey and Niko Green have already bowled 200 games this season, while Luke Baylouny and Sean Burns were right on the cusp through four matches.
On the girls’ side, the Irish picked up their first win on Dec. 14 with a sweep of Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Newfield, and stood at 1-2-1 after four matches. Senior Erin Burns has led the way with a 121 average. The girls team started off with only three players last year but has grown to double digits in year two.
“I brought a few people, but Mr. Nawn is a very enthusiastic recruiter so he did a lot of the heavy lifting,” Burns said with a laugh. “But it’s been lots of fun. I’ve enjoyed it more as I’ve gotten better at it. I enjoy teaching my teammates, too. Not many of them had experience, and I’ve never been in a leadership role that’s this important before, so I’m really enjoying looking after them all.”
Both teams have a slick look as new, electric bowling jerseys were designed and unboxed for this season. A leprechaun surrounded by lightning and players’ names in green lightning bolts on the back give a professional feel to each match. Graphic design teacher Mia Decrescenzo helped bring the idea to life.
“I said I want to do something bold,” Nawn said with a big smile. “She took the leprechaun’s white shirt and turned it green and put bowling pins at his feet. If you’ve ever seen any of the pro jerseys, and I’ve been out on the pro tour a little, the jerseys are always fun and loud. And nothing is more fun than lightning bolts, so we drew the leprechaun and put the names in lightning. Other teams have thought it’s pretty cool.”
It all comes together as the perfect blend of athletics, camaraderie and excitement around Camden Catholic’s renewed bowling program.
“After 27 years of coaching – and my other teams are going to hate that I said this – but this is the nicest bunch of individuals, players, parents and coaches that I’ve ever been associated with,” Nawn said. “Back home at Camden Catholic, the school, the administration, the teachers and their classmates could not be more supportive. I had 10 kids on the way to the bus wish us good luck today. We’re not exactly varsity football.”
But it’s big time for all who compete – and compete with everything they’ve got, like Michaud.
“I just love the environment,” Michaud said. “It doesn’t feel like just another sport. I love bowling, but I love bowling even more with this group of people. Bowling for this high school has made me even better for all the other leagues that I’m in.”
They’ve all gotten better, and it’s just not always based on a high score or animations on the screens above the lanes.
“When they leave, I want them to say that being a part of that team was one of the greatest things ever,” Nawn said. “And along the way, hopefully we’ll win more than we lose, and maybe one of these years, we’ll find a way to win a championship. Someday, we want that banner to hang in the gym.”
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