Thursday marked the first day on the journey to the OHSAA state tournament finals, with few surprises in team and a big highlight from Fort Recovery’s Lucas Acheson.
Minster, OH – Someone watching from a step-ladder probably said it best when he commented, “This is why spend all that time practicing. When you get to the tournament the hard work pays off.”
That’s not probably true, but absolutely true, as area boys teams vied Thursday morning for the next stop on the journey to the OHSAA state bowling that finals that take place in two weeks. Four teams would qualify, as well as four individuals not members of qualifying teams, before a packed house at Community Lanes, in Minster.
In its eighteenth season since being constituted as an official Ohio High School Athletic Association sport, bowling, more than any other OHSAA competition, operates in the vacuum of obscurity. Only the participants, their families, friends, and the curious few seem to know about it, and without question it serves as motivation. Thursday was a day to make some noise – headlines – to post a headline that not only got you to the next round of competition, but to put your name in the category of those who do best when best is required.
Coldwater, winners of the OHSAA title four times, have peaked recently to be in championship form, it appear, once again, with five bowlers averaging 200 or better, led by junior Caleb Wendel’s league-leading 224.5.
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More impressive, through 16 matches thus far the Cavaliers have yet to taste defeat. They’ve run the table, and with bowling being a game highly dictated by a little success and momentum, any of their top five bowlers are prone to go on one of those hot streaks that can carry a team throughout a three week tournament run.
That said, it came as no surprise Thursday when the Cavaliers rolled a 4380 to capture the top spot among four qualifying teams, followed by St. Henry (3813), Fort Recovery (3740), and Minster (3640).
Coldwater was led by a pair of its aces, Carter Bertke (237, 214, 224 for a 675), and Caleb Wendel from St Henry had a (217, 236, 191 for a 644). That set the tone. Kayden Giere chipped in with 616 series and that’s all the leadership they needed.
But the individual excitement of the day was supplied by Fort Recovery’s Lucas Acheson, who made big tournament news by rolling a perfect 300 in his second game, sandwiched by a 161 and 171.
St Henry’s Jacob Lefeld’s added a 613 scores and Minster’s Alex Schmitmeyer paced the Wildcats with his 565 series.
Of the bowlers who will advance by virtue of an at-large score (meaning their team didn’t qualify), Carson Keller, from New Bremen will move on after his 567.
Marion Local’s Vincent Winner continues to climb with a 553.
And Lima Central Catholic bowlers Michael Miller and Louis Knotts advance with 498, and 494, respectively.
For more information about the district round of the tournament (Feb 18 – 25), contact www.ohsaa.org for locations and times.
Girls Division II sectional bowling will highlight Friday action at Community Lanes, in Minster, beginning at 10 am.
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