Lady Spartans qualify for state bowling championship

The Boardman girls varsity bowling team had an impressive showing in the Northeast Ohio District Qualifying tournament Sunday and grabbed a spot in the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state bowling championship.

A large crowd gathered at the Hall of Fame Lanes in Canton to watch the event. In the end, Canton GlenOak slipped by Boardman by a slim 14-pin margin to win the tournament.

Minerva, Hubbard and Hudson round out the top five state qualifiers.

Boardman’s Ciarra Moran opened with a 258 game. Amanda Van Fossan chipped in with a 204 game and Rachel Dugan added 179 to help the Spartans jump out to an early lead over the 33-team field. GlenOak came back in the final two match play games to overtake the Boardman girls, 2845-2779.

In the six-game Baker competition, GlenOak struggled to find its earlier form and Boardman regained the lead behind opening games of 235 and 212. In the sixth and final Baker match, GlenOak erased Boardman’s 14-pin lead to win the district championship.

All five teams will advance to the 16-team state finals in Chilicothe, Ohio, today. Boardman hopes to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish.