Third time was the charm for Rutherford to defeat division rival and make history

Rutherford had fallen short against North Arlington in their first two meetings this season.

That didn’t matter much to senior Brandon Fedarick and Rutherford heading into the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 final against North Arlington on Saturday in North Brunswick.

The Bulldogs knew the third time would be the charm for them against their NJIC Meadowlands Division rival and that they would make history.

They did.

Fedarick and junior Michael Bauman led two-seed Rutherford to a 2-0 victory over top-seed North Arlington to win its first sectional championship in program history.

“It’s crazy to do something that has never been done in school history,” Fedarick said. “This is a really special group.”

Bauman led all bowlers in the sectional final with a high series of 428, while Fedarick finished with a two-game set of 417 in the victory.

It’s been a stellar senior season for Fedarick, who is only in his third year bowling competitively.

The senior currently holds a 220 average on the lanes and rolled a season-best 288 during the Bergen County Boys Team Tournament last month to help Rutherford place fourth in the Group 1-2 Division.

During the sectional tournament, Fedarick recorded a 210 average in the team’s three dual matches.

Rutherford’s ride to a first-ever sectional title is one Fedarick hopes will continue down the ranks of the program in the future.

“You always have to start somewhere,” Fedarick said. “This shows that anything is possible if you don’t give up.