Struthers’ Bayus wins state bowling crown

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Maybe his ball — The World Beater by Columbia 300 — says it all, minus a few continents.

As Ohio’s boys state individual bowling champion, Corey Bayus reigns over a small piece of the globe, but a proud piece of it nonetheless.

The Struthers junior’s Saturday began with 212, 227 and 258 — not world-beating games — but not bad in a state high school tournament.

“It’s, by far, my biggest achievement to date,” the 17-year-old Bayus said of his 697 that beat out Kettering Fairmont’s Ryan Wolfe by 23 pins.

After his first three games, Bayus wasn’t aware of his accomplishment because he and teammates were busy adding three Baker System games as part of the next phase of their day.

“I had no idea,” Bayus said.

After the six games, however, the bowlers got a break and announcements for individual awards were made.

“That’s when I found out,” Bayus said.

Bayus was a repeat first-team All-Ohioan, following a junior season when he placed third individually.

Along with the certificate letter acknowledging his all-state status, Bayus has a gold medal.

During a Friday night practice at Wayne Webb’s Bowl in Columbus, Bayus said he had a good look on how to attack the lanes when the tournament started the next day.

“The lanes were a few boards tighter today [Saturday] in the first game. I started noticing a carry-down [oil getting pushed farther down the lane] toward the end of first game, so I bumped [moved] a couple boards right,” he said of the adjustment.

“The lanes didn’t change a whole lot for the second game; it was just a matter of making quality shots. For the third game, the left lane was a few boards looser than the right, so I played both lanes differently. Then it was the continuation of a quality shot.”

Having made two previous state appearances with his team, Bayus said he felt no pressure.

“I started varsity as a freshman, so after that, nerves aren’t as much of a factor as they used to be,” he said.

Struthers’ team finished a best-ever fourth — one place better than 2010 when the Wildcats were fifth.

For coach Bob Eisenbraun Jr. it was bittersweet.

“It’s kind of disappointing because the team fell short, but I’m really happy for Corey.”