AAC will be well-represented in D-II boys state bowling tournament

March 6, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The All-American Conference is quickly gaining a reputation as a hotbed when it comes to producing boys state tournament bowling contenders.

Hubbard coach Ron Killian isn’t shy when adding that he feels the Mahoning Valley is arguably the bowling mecca of the state.

The Division II boys state tournament is set for Saturday with AAC White Tier champion Struthers set for a return engagement, looking to improve upon their runner-up finish of a season ago at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.

They will be joined by AAC White Tier foes Hubbard and Lakeview with Brandon Bergstrom of AAC Blue Tier member LaBrae High School the division’s lone individual area qualifier.

Last year, the Wildcats set new standards for best three-game 10-pin score (3,028) while their single game 10-pin score (1,044) ranks second overall.

State champion Dan DiLoreto (678) has graduated and the team suffered a setback when Jay King, who averaged 212 last year, was sidelined prior to the season with a knee injury.

While King (he earned honorable mention laurels in 2014) hasn’t rolled a ball this year and has been sorely missed, the cupboard wasn’t exactly bare for head coach Bob Eisenbraun Jr. with six bowlers all averaging 200 or better.

Eisenbraun likes his team’s chances once again this year.

“Last year was last year and while it’s over, everyone still remembers the outcome. The goal every year is to get to state and win the title because you always want to reach the pinnacle of your sport,” Eisenbraun said. “With three teams from the same tier in same conference heading to state, it just shows you the level of competition and the talent that competes in the AAC. Our area just continues to produce excellent bowlers and they have for quite some time.”

The Wildcats’ roster includes co-team average leaders J.D. Heffron and Johnny Medvec (210) with Andrew Brabant (206), Adam Cifro (202), Jarrod Sawyers and Cameron Coppola (201) rounding out the squad.

Cifro, against Niles McKinley and Brabant, ironically against state-qualifier Hubbard, have both registered perfect games this season.

“By the eighth frame I realized that I might have the opportunity for a perfect game and when it happened, it was like a big load was lifted off of my shoulders,” Cifro said. “We came so close last year, getting back to state was always the mindset.”

“It felt just like any other game in that I saw the first couple of strikes, then all of a sudden I looked up and it was the 10th frame,” Brabant said. “We didn’t look ahead all season, instead concentrating on league-play first, then sectionals, district and now the focus is all on the state tournament.”

The last time the Eagles qualified for the state tourney was in 2006 and Killian says this team checks their egos at the door when they arrive at the alley.

“This group wants to be known as a team and not a bunch of individuals. They bowl for Hubbard High School and it just seems as though someone new stepped up each week over the course of the season,” he said.

Hubbard is led by Mitch Cohol (202) and Caleb Johnson (200), whose 747 series was tops in district play. Rounding out the Eagles’ roster is Dylan Dobay (191), Ralph Streb (180), Mitch Meyers (167) and Seth Valentino (160).

“Our season had the normal highs and lows but we had players step every time we hit the lanes. It’s absolutely great to see our district represented so well at the state level,” Cohol said.

This will be the first time in Lakeview history that their bowling team has advanced to the state tournament, making it to the district but falling short of a state berth last season.

“Our boys remembered that feeling and were determined not to allow that to happen again this year. Last Saturday during district, we were aware that there would be some tough competition, especially from Hubbard and Struthers but we knew that if we could stick close to both teams then we’d have the opportunity to advance,” Bulldogs coach Jason Smith said.

Captain Eric Rohrabaugh leads Lakeview with a 191 average, followed by Brandon Currence (184), Josh Miller (187), Zac White (177), Trevor Rohrabaugh (161) and Sean Meszaros (186).

“We’re all excited and looking forward to the state tournament. As the only senior on the team, my teammates have really stepped up to make my last year a memorable one,” Eric Rohrabaugh said.

Bergstrom earned an individual berth when Lakeview beat out Buckeye for fourth-place at the district, rolling a 615 set to best Andrew Bleakley (608) of Holy Name.

“My strength is just staying focused and being able to rev the ball, which makes it carry better and provide a bigger curve,” Bergstrom said.

“I’m not familiar with the lanes in Columbus, but they shouldn’t be too much different than that of our home house at Freeway Lanes.”

Vikings head coach John Wolford called Bergstrom a special player.

“Brandon has been the anchor of our team the last three years and the past two seasons has provided much-needed leadership,” he said. “He’s a four-year letterwinner who is anxiously looking forward to the state tournament.”

The tournament begins at 10:30 a.m.