Bellefontaine’s girls bowling team saw its storybook season come to an end Friday with a 10th place finish at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II state tournament at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.
“It was an amazing day for the girls,” said BHS girls head coach Jane Kline. “Starting the season we didn’t even discuss making it to state. I don’t even think we talked about it until we bowled at the sectional tournament. Getting to go was the ultimate success story.”
The Lady Chieftains were making just their second program appearance ever at the state tournament and their first in 19 years. That made Friday’s trip even more meaningful.
“I can’t stop talking about how proud I am of this group of girls,” said BHS girls head coach Jane Kline. “They have made this season one of my favorites. They have a lot of talent and I love to watch them. They have made me super proud all season long.”
The state tournament began with the qualifying round, which included three regular games and three baker games. From there, the top eight teams moved on in a bracket-style tournament to determine the Division I state championship.
Bellefontaine was unable to advance out of the qualifying round . The Chiefs rolled games of 888, 766 and 792 and had baker games of 134, 168 and 193. That gave them a combined score of 2,941, which was just 32 pins shy of the cut.
“Looking back we missed many spares that would have gotten us to the final eight teams,” said Kline. “Our first baker game was a perfect example we had five opens. We ended up 15th the first time, so we really improved by making it to 10th. We were making progress.”
Individually, Ashley Ehmer powered BHS with a 17th overall finish after rolling games of 196, 169 and 188 for a 553 series. Lindsey Heminger finished 34th overall with games of 222, 146 and 153 for a 521 series, Kayla Watkins was 44th overall with games of 171, 165 and 162 for a 498 series and Akayla Ryan took 68th overall with games of 137, 163 and 154 for a 454 series.
Also for the Chiefs, Candice Miihlbach recoded games of 162 and 123 for a two-game series of 285 and Macie Smith added a game of 135.
“This group of girls has been a joy to coach,” said Kline. “They have not been afraid to make a change in their game to get better or to make a change on the lanes to score.
Ashley plays a pretty simple game. She has a little turn on the end and she was pretty steady today all day, once she got over the nerves. Lindsey started out bowling well and the second game transition got her. And I think she really started thinking way too much, instead of just relaxing and rolling the ball.”
Gahanna Lincoln won the Division I state championship, Beavercreek was runner-up and Hillsboro finished third. There were 16 total teams in the field.
Kenston’s Jenna Stretch was the Division I girls individual champion with games of 236, 225 and 279 for a 740 championship series.
“I have never coached a team that was so willing to do what ever it took to get where we were today,” said Kline. “Learning a new line, getting a new ball and getting out of their comfort zone just to help the team. I have said all along this group of girls work well as a team, helping each other, doing whatever it takes to get everyone on the same page and scoring.”
Bellefontiane’s boys bowling team competes in the Division I state tournament this morning at 10:45 a.m.