Boardman bowling teams win Federal League titles

CANTON — The Boardman High boys and girls varsity bowling teams won the Federal League championships by virtue of results during the season-ending league tournament at Park Center Lanes on Saturday.

After the individual portion of the tournament, Boardman was second-seeded. In the first round of the best-of-5 Baker format series, the Spartan boys beat Uniontown Lake, 3-1. Boardman then beat Canton GlenOak by the same score.

In the final round against Massillon Jackson, the teams tied. The Spartans and Polar Bears split the next four games to force a ninth and 10th frame overtime roll-off, which the Spartans won, 49-39.

It marked Boardman’s second consecutive Federal League crown.

Vinny Zimbardi rolled a 682 series, followed by Andrew Watterson’s 660. Pat Heffron had 643, while Troy Wilson added a 640 set. Other varsity bowlers were Jim Tancabel, Tyler Hupp, Alec Higham and Jake Stauffer.

Boardman’s girls were the top-seed entering the Federal League tournament and remained No. 1 following the individual games. Against Massillon Jackson in the first Baker round, the Spartans won, 3-0, then knocked off North Canton Hoover, 3-1.

In the championship round, Boardman defeated Fitch, 3-2. It was the Spartans’ first Federal League title.

Ciarra Moran posted the second highest girls set in the tournament with a 670 series. Amanda Van Fossan added a 554 series. Other Spartans were Tiffany Dugan, Rachel Dugan, Angela Kazcowka, Franki Fuller, Tiffany Terlecki and Becca Babnic.

Fitch’s Gina Cheff was selected Federal League girls player of the year while Boardman’s Al Dohar/Brian Umstead and Mike Dohar/John Dohar were named boys’ and girls’ coaches-of-the-year, respectively.

Receiving all-league recognition as first-teamers were: (boys) Watterson and Fitch’s Josh Thompson; and (girls) Boardman’s Fuller and Fitch’s Cheff, Marietta Gallo and Vicki Berquist.

Second-team choices included (boys) Fitch’s Marty Sharisky and (girls) Fitch’s Kelly Mineo and Delorean Jones.

Honorable mention were: (boys) Boardman’s Zimbardi, Tancabel and Higham; and Fitch’s Matt Hensperger and (girls) Van Fossan and Dugan of Boardman.