Blue Tornado Bowling

One male bowler throws his ball down the land while another male bowler picks his ball up from the return.

Since bowling became a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association-sanctioned varsity sport in 2001, McCallie bowling teams have captured state titles in 2005, 2006 and 2010. The Blue Tornado have been state runners-up in 2015 and 2016.

Former head coach Jeff Kurtzman led the Blue Tornado to the first two titles. Current head coach Josh Deitrick guided the program to an undefeated season and the State Championship in 2010.

In 2025, the bowlers qualified for the Division II state tournament for the 16th time in 18 years under Coach Deitrick by placing runner up in the Region tournament. Seniors C.J. Burks and David Benefield earned fourth and sixth places respectively in the individual Region competition to qualify for the State individual tournament. It was David’s third berth in the individual event.

The bowling team produced an 11-4 dual match record in 2023-24 and was the Region runner up. The Blue Tornado qualified for the Division II state tournament, and Gavin Englert and Benefield both qualified for the state individual tournament, David for the second time.

Coach Deitrick has directed the squad since 2007 and has led McCallie to the state tournament in each year but two. In 2015, McCallie advanced to the title match before falling to the eventual champion and claiming runner-up status.

Alex Goss ’09 won the 2008 Division II individual state bowling crown as a junior and was state runner-up his senior season.

The bowlers use top-notch facilities for practices and matches locally at Spare Time in Brainerd and Hixson.