The Tyrone High School Unified Bocce Team made history last night beating Mount Union with a sudden-death overtime roll by senior Mike Mingle.

It was the first win for Tyrone in the history of the program, which began last season.

“It was so exciting to see the kids’ faces light up after they knew they won,” Co-Head Coach Sarah Latchford said.

Co-head Coach Shannon Davis could not agree more.

“The team getting their first-ever win was the most rewarding part of the entire match,” Davis said.

Tyrone took the first 30-minute frame by a score of 7-6, but Mount Union came back to claim the second frame 5-3.

When a match is tied after two frames, it forces a “Golden Frame,” a sudden death over time.

Mingle then rolled the game-winning shot in the Golden Frame.

“The best part of the game is that Mike was the one who made the game-winning shot,” assistant coach Missy Coltenbaugh said.

The win was especially satisfying because Tyrone took three matches to the golden frame last season, but lost all three.

According to junior Bocce player Piper Myers, the key moment was the golden frame. Myers was impressed with everyone’s performance and happy about the win.

“Everyone played well today and came together to get the win,” Myers said.

Latchford and Davis praised their team for working together and always supporting each other.

“Looking over at the players and seeing them talking and strategizing was the best part of the match,” Davis said.

Latchford said she was also happy to see the teammates communicating and helping each other.

“The team collaborating and strategizing throughout the match made the team able to win,” Latchford said. “The collaboration between the plates was impressive.”

Members of the winning team were Mike Mengle, Caleb LeVanish, Aiden Zaker, Mckenna Rudy, Cooper Spicer, Caydence Dickson, Piper Myers, and Kendall Stathes.

Tyrone improved its record to 1-0 on the season.  The bocce team will be in action at the St. Francis Invitational tournament in Lorretto on Saturday, January 4.