By Mark Blentlinger, Schoolcraft bowling coach
Schoolcraft bowling teams fell short of their goal of making it to the state finals. However, they did have two bowlers extend their season at the individual level for the Regional tournament on February 24.
Seniors Chloe Baldwin and Spencer White showed they had what it took to finish among the top 10 at what would prove to be the highest scoring Regional in Division 4. On the girls’ side of the lanes, the winning average was 199.3, with the boys’ top place finisher averaging a 223.0.
Baldwin was able to work through a couple of early low scoring games, coming back to qualify among the top 10, finishing 4th with an average of 178.0.
White started off his day with a 222 game, putting him in the top 10 most of the tournament. A low scoring game dropped him into 16th place with one game left to go. He knew it was his last chance to do what he needed to in order to get into the coveted top 10. Spencer rolled his high game of 235 and secured an 8th place finish, qualifying for State with a 198.5 average.
At the State level it can be very intimidating knowing you are bowling against the top 60 bowlers in the state. Every one of them had the vision of finishing with that state champion medal around their neck.
Baldwin finished in 21st with a six-game average of 162.3. Spencer finished in the 23rd spot with an average of 180.0.
It is the 4th year in a row the program has sent either a team or individuals to the State competition. The girls’ team finished 7th overall in the KVA and the boys’ team finished 4th this season.