Leanna Lescano (‘26) started bowling in just the fifth grade. From then to her time now at East, Lescano has stayed dedicated to the sport, her skill only growing with each season. Now, Lescano’s hard work is paying off with her commitment to Holy Family University for Division II bowling.

“My dad put me in a parent-child league when I was three,” Lescano said, adding that her father also bowled when he was in high school.

While Lescano tried other sports, she said, “none of them compared to bowling.”

Lescano felt sure that bowling would be part of her life, always choosing it above any other sport she did. Now, as a four-year varsity starter, three-year captain, three-time state tournament qualifier, three-time New Jersey Olympic Conference Girls Bowling 1st Team, and a slew of other competitions under her belt, Lescano has proved herself right.

While Lescano would never say any of this, Cherry Hill East Girls’ Bowling Coach Ryan James attests to, commenting on her modesty.

“She won’t say much, that’s typical of her character…She’s also always got that positive demeanor. That’s why she’s a captain. That’s why she’s the way she is.”

James has coached Lescano since her freshman year. Even then, James said he was impressed with her skill.

When deciding where to commit, Lescano was sure she wanted to stay close to home. Another deciding factor was the team itself.

“They invited me for a practice…I just really liked the team, and I could see myself spending a lot of time there,” Lescano said about Holy Family University.

Lescano’s current team, though, is something she’ll sorely miss from East. For Lescano, meeting people through bowling and connecting with them has always been a highlight of the sport.

“I’ll miss how fun it is. That’s all,” Lescano said about leaving East Girls Bowling. Like any sport, bowling has been a place of improvement and hard work for Lescano. However, it also connected Lescano with her father, her coaches, and her teammates.

“I think people should know that [bowling is] more complex than just trying to knock down all ten pins,” Lescano said.

And by moving to play in college, Lescano is proving just that.