Benjamin Logan’s girls bowling team made it back to the Division II state tournament for the second time in three years, while Indian Lake freshman Jalan Martin qualified as an individual after competing in the district meet Thursday at Beaver-Vu Lanes in Beavercreek.
Greenon won the district championship with 4,124 pins, Urbana was runner-up with 3,812, Mechanicsburg took third with 3,741 and Ben Logan came in fourth with 3,736.
The top four teams and top four individuals not on a qualifying team move on to the Division II state tournament Saturday, Feb. 29 at Wayne Webb Bowl in Columbus at 10:30 a.m.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said BL girls head coach Tammy Poling. “We have no seniors, so it’s been a great season for these girls. We’ve had younger girls stepping up these last two tournaments and it has been great.”
Ben Logan qualified to the state meet in 2018, but didn’t even advance to the district tournament last season. Poling felt her team’s focus was the difference this postseason.
“Going into the Central Buckeye Conference tournament was a good learning experience for some of the girls,” said Poling. “As the tournaments went on, they got more confidence in what they were doing and started putting more effort into practices.”
Erica Warned had a standout game for the Lady Raiders and finished third overall out of 102 bowlers. She rolled games of 225, 191 and 234 for a 650 series.
“Erica has put a lot of work in the last three years,” said Poling. “She has come a long way since her freshman year.”
Also for the Raiders, Kaylee Nicholas was 16th overall with games of 200, 206 and 158 for a 564 series. Addie Buckenroth rolled games of 148, 214 and 192 for a 533 series, Ashley Gantt had games of 148, 214 and 167 for a 529 series and Malori Barnes added games of 122, 178 and 145 for a 445 series.
“Ashley bowled really well at sectional and picked everyone up,” said Poling. “Malori bowled well too. This last meet at districts, Erica did very well obviously by getting third.”
Warne, Nicholas and Gantt were freshman on the team that qualified two years ago. Getting back to state was just as exciting on Thursday.
“They were all pretty excited,” said Poling. “It was nerve wracking for them (two years ago). These girls all work well together, though, so that helps. They have fun with it and encourage each other. I think that has a lot to do with our success.” See BOWL on Page 6
Just a freshman, Martin showed no signs of stage fright as she finished sixth overall at the tournament. She rolled games of 235, 197 and 172 for a 604 series to qualify to the state meet.
Several other area schools had individuals competing at the district tournament on Thursday.
Indian Lake also had Madison Kidder compete and roll games of 157, 128 and 116 for a 401 series. Riverside saw Rayce Yelton finish 22nd overall and record games of 185, 163 and 193 for a 541 series, while West Liberty-Salem’s Katie Rollins was 13th overall with games of 200, 199 and 172 for a 571 series.