Niagara Falls bowling coach Ed Ventry calls it a good problem to have.

The Wolverines, who split the Niagara Frontier League title with North Tonawanda this season, have too many strong bowlers and not enough spots on the roster for the Section VI girls bowling tournament at Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga today.

“I wish I could start all of them,” Ventry said. “I wish we could bowl seven on seven because I like our chances even more. We have to pick five and we’re going to do our best to hopefully make the right choices.”

Ventry’s Wolverines, led by senior Brooke Seiwell’s 194.62 average, sport at least seven bowlers in the mix to start in today’s tournament.

“It would be great if we could bowl all seven girls because when we have to pick that lineup it’s so hard to figure out who it is because we have a strong seven,” Seiwell said. “It’s definitely nice because even when I’m having a tough day we have a whole team that is averaging so close (together) that can pick me up.”

Seiwell finished third in the NFL in average, while eighth grader Angela Gabriele finished seventh with a 183.84 average.

“All of our averages have gone up from last year,” Gabriele said. “It’s great because there’s no ‘oh this girl is better than the other’ because they’re not. We’re all about the same on this team.”

Despite the fight for playing time, sophomore Justin Lansberry (177.69 average) said the competition is only with the other team.

“We all bowl together against other teams, so there’s no competition on our team,” Lansberry said.

“We’re all like sisters,” Seiwell added.

Sophomore Hailey Johnson (176 average), senior Megan Maurer (170.18), eighth grader Luxsurie Sistrunk (167.10) and sophomore Staci Biondi (160.96) could all see action on the lanes today.

Ventry said Maurer’s leadership has made a difference this year as well.

“Meagan’s the silent leader, she’s all about the team,” Ventry said. “There were a couple matches she didn’t start this year and she always had a good attitude. ‘Whatever you want, coach.’ She leads by example.”

Ventry said he won’t know who makes the top five for Niagara Falls until he gets to the lanes today. Whichever combination he chooses, he hopes it is enough to get the Wolverines a trip to the state tournament.

“All year we’ve been sticking with the hot hand and that’s what we’re going to do,” Ventry said. “What’s nice is the girls are on board with that. Obviously they all want to bowl, but they’re all understanding and they’re all about the team.

“They want to win,” he added. “They want to do what’s best for the team and that’s great.”