Valley bowlers chase state berths
By Greg Gulas
When bowling was first sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association in 2008-09, boys and girls teams statewide competed for one overall title.
This year, teams have been separated and for the very first time will vie for state crowns in both the Division I and II ranks.
With Division II district play set to begin Saturday at Akron’s Riviera Lanes, 12 boys and 13 girls teams and individuals will compete for four spots each with the hopes of qualifying for state tournament play.
On Sunday, 17 Division I boy’s teams and individuals will vie for six state spots while 14 girls entries eye five slots at the upcoming state tournament, scheduled for March 7-8 at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.
The Canfield Cardinals are defending boys’ state champions and along with Boardman, Northeast District sectional champions, will look to advance beyond district play and into the state Division I tourney.
“It will be just as difficult, if not more so to win a state title, even after the breakdown into two divisions. When you win expectations remain high so we just have to stay level-headed and be consistent from top to bottom,” Cardinals coach Carl Hurd said. “Going to two divisions will help some schools while at the same time hinder others.”
The Spartans topped the Cardinals, 4179-4159 for the sectional title with Boardman’s Jon Tiberio outdueling Canfield’s Tyler Frklech, 668-664 for top honors.
Jake Wagner’s 650 helped Boardman secure two of the division’s top three finishes.
“Winning sectionals give us extra confidence heading into district action,” Tiberio said. “We know we can compete, but in order to get to the state we must keep our heads clear and maintain our focus.”
Boardman coach Al Dohar, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation while battling cancer, is expected to join his team at districts but has relied more and more recently on assistants Brian Umstead and Kevin Randolph.
“The boys team has advanced to the state four times previously, the last being in 2012 so we definitely want to do well and get back to those familiar surroundings. We have a nice blend of underclassmen and upperclass leadership,” Randolph said. “While Canfield is looking to repeat as champs, beating them in the sectionals gives us much needed confidence heading into district play.”
The Austintown Fitch girl’s swept through Division I sectional competition by besting Kent Roosevelt, 4051-3707 while finishing 390 pins ahead of third-place qualifier, Stow-Munroe Falls.
“All but two of our players are seniors and they’ve been together as a team the last two and a half years. There’s lot of experience on this team and we will lose a lot to graduation, which is why there is a sense of urgency to get things done right now,” Falcons coach Don Morrison said. “My girls are very adaptable and they are good at reading lanes, which was big in sectionals. Staying focused and adjusting will be the key in district play.”
The Falcons’ Katie Viglio was tops in sectional action, rolling 644 which was two pins better than teammate Lynette Seebacher, who shot a 642.
Overall, Austintown Fitch held down the top three spots; four of the top six while finishing with five players in the top eight overall.
“The competition only gets tougher when you go from sectional play to district to state. With five seniors and two juniors on our team we’re ready for this to happen right now,” Viglio said.
“There is great chemistry on our team and our goal is to get back to state. When one of us struggles our teammates are always there to pick us up and lend a helping hand,” Seebacher said. “If we bowl like we are capable of bowling then everything else will fall right into place.”
In Division II the Struthers boys topped Champion, 4318-3988 for sectional honors while Lakeview was tops in girls action, 3401-3355 over runner-up Hubbard.
The Wildcats’ Dan DiLoreto, who rolled a 679, was two pins better than Lakeview’s Eric Rohrabaugh and 17 pins ahead of Michael Katko of Brookfield, who finished with a 662 roll.
They’ve made six trips to the state with their highest finish fourth-place in 2011.
“In sectional play we made good shots and picked up our spares. That is exactly what we need to do in district play if we expect to qualify for the state tournament,” Wildcats coach Bob Eisenbraun Jr. said.
Lakeview’s Valerie Szabo shot a sectional best 598, 20 pins ahead of both Breanna Burk of McDonald and Mirando Romano of Hubbard, both of whom rolled 578.
Burk’s 234 roll was the top girls’ individual finish in Division II.