When five local bowlers decided to team up and compete in the Maine State 10-Pin Championship, neither they nor any of the other 2,845 competing teams expected their team to do much.

But when the championship tournament ended at Yankee Lanes in Portland last May, it was that same group of five relative newcomers to the sport who accepted the trophy for winning the handicap division state title.

The championship was divided into two main divisions: a scratch division for straight scores, and a handicap division for scores figured with league-established handicaps.

Mark Shriro of Glenburn, Joe DiCentes from Levant, Eric Jackson and Rich Weber of Bangor, and Chris Dunifer of Hermon won the Maine State 10-pin handicap division title with 3,449 points.

“It was unbelievable,” said Mark Shriro. “We just couldn’t miss. We were hitting everything.”

It was even more unbelievable since all but one of the fivesome had ever competed in a tournament before.

All five bowlers hooked up at a city tournament in January. They all hit it off so well that they eventually decided to enter the state tournament just to see what it was like.

It was the first time Jackson had bowled in a league or competed in an entire season.

“This was my first year bowling really,” Jackson said. “But I’m hooked now.”

He isn’t the only one. Shriro said they all agreed to team u He isn’t the only one. Shriro said they all agreed to team up again next year to try to defend their championship.

Shriro expects the competition to be even tougher next year since they won’t be able to sneak up on anyone like they did this year.

“We took everybody by surprise this time. But they’ll all be gunning for us next year,” Shriro said.

In the meantime, all five will be competing in leagues again this fall to have fun and improve their skills.

Shriro, Jackson and Dunifer also competed in the individual and doubles portion of the tournament. Jackson and Shriro finished third in doubles, while Dunifer teamed with another bowler for second.

Now that they have a championship under their collective belts, maybe they can convince their sponsor and employer, General Electric Co. in Bangor, to spring for team shirts.

“We’ve got a little bargaining power now,” joked Shriro. “I guess you could say we’re free agents.”