44 | APRIL 22 • 2021 SPORTS Joe Bernstein says Isaac Mougoue is a perfect exam- ple of what high school sports are all about. “You can give something a try,” said Bernstein, the boys bowling coach at Frankel Jewish Academy. “And one of the great things about a small school like Frankel is Isaac was able to join our bowling team.” Mougoue, a freshman, started the late-starting and condensed season bowling in the 30s at FJA practices in January. He finished the season, at FJA’s final regular-sea- son competition March 8 against Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard at Astro Lanes in Madison Heights, bowling a 141. “Our kids were amazed,” Bernstein said. “If we had 15 more practices and non-league matches like in a normal season, there’s no telling how much more Isaac would have improved. “I don’t know if Isaac is going to be a 200 bowler, but he’s a kid you want on your team because of how much he wants to improve. He’s one of the building blocks for our young team (there were no seniors on the FJA roster this sea- son).” FJA didn’t qualify for the state tournament as a team nor have any individual state tournament qualifiers March 19 at the regional hosted by Ten Pin Alley in Tecumseh. The Jaguars finished ninth among 13 teams in the team standings. “We struggled. It was a learning experience for our guys because the lane conditions were tough,” Bernstein said. Here were FJA’s top scor- ers at the regional: • Eli Gordon 139-166-151- 157. • Andy Tukel 143-123-133- 123. • Jonah Miller 117-140- 149-111. “All in all, it was a good season,” Bernstein said. “I hope we return to normal next season. “I’d expect big things from our guys. They’re good kids and good stu- dents.” After a Slow Start, FJA Bowler Finished the Season on a Roll JOE BERNSTEIN Isaac Mougoue Spartans’ Success Measured by More Than Wins and Losses The statistics aren’t mind-boggling. Josh Nodler played in 27 games this season for the Michigan State University hockey team. The 5-foot- 10, 193-pound sophomore forward from Oak Park had three goals and eight assists for 11 points. The Spartans finished 7-18-2. Despite those numbers, the season was a success, in Nodler’s estimation, because at least there was a season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’m 100% appreciative and thankful to have a sea- son,” Nodler said. Only one series was postponed, and that wasn’t Michigan State’s fault. It was Wisconsin that had the COVID- 19 issues. Nodler and the rest of the Michigan State players had to abide by a multi- tude of pandem- ic protocols and restrictions to stay on the ice. “We were tested nearly every day,” Nodler said. “That was a pain at first, but it became part of our routine.” Wearing a mask was mandatory in most places. On the ice and in the lock- er room were the biggest exceptions. Road trips meant hours in a hotel and most meals eaten there. “Things were much more restric- tive on the road than my freshman season,” Nodler said. Nodler is happy about his progress as a player this season. “I was more comfortable, and I felt I made a bigger impact on the team with my skating and physical- ity,” the Calgary Flames draftee said. “I’m going to work hard this summer so I can make an even bigger impact next season.” Nodler played in 36 Michigan State games as a freshman and had three goals and five assists. He was named the Spartans’ Rookie of the Year. A Berkley High School graduate who was a mem- ber of the National Honor Society there, Nodler has stayed strong in the class- room. The computer science major was one of 110 Michigan State winter ath- letes who were named to the Big Ten’s Academic All- Conference Team. To be eligible for the honor, a student must be on a varsity team, be enrolled full-time at his or her school for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Nodler was selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL draft by the Flames. Josh Nodler MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER QUICK HITS