State titles on minds of Raiders and Letscher

March 14, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The Warren Harding Raiders’ boys bowling team last qualified for the state tournament in 2010, finishing runner-up to Springfield Kenton Ridge when play was only one division.

Canfield Cardinals junior Andrew Letscher on the other hand, seems to have the family car on automatic pilot as he gets ready for a third straight state appearance, albeit his first as an individual qualifier.

Both the Raiders and Letscher are hoping there won’t be many spares that need converted Saturday when they compete in the Division I state tourney at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.

“This year, the key to our success was being aligned with the All-American Conference. Prior to that we bowled independently and just weren‘t prepared,” Raiders coach Thomas Burd said. “We had excellent regular season matches against Austintown Fitch and Boardman while taking part in several tournaments also helped prepare us. Playing good competition always helps at tournament time.”

The Raiders finished second this year in the AAC Red Tier and concluded district play third overall (4,010); 73 pins behind both Nordonia and Brunswick who tied for top honors (4,083).

Letscher punched his ticket to state with a 718 series at district; 48 pins higher than his closest competitor while a 267 roll in his second game was just one pin behind Nordonia’s Ryan Liederbach for top individual honors.

A three-time “Bowler of the Year” for the Cardinals, Letscher is a three-year letterwinner, has earned all-conference honors all three seasons, rolled four perfect games (including one against Boardman this year) and has led the conference in points two straight seasons.

An integral part of Canfield’s 2013 state championship run as a freshman, he bowled 225, 267 and 226 during district yet acknowledges he must roll better than his current 230 average in order to remain in title contention.

Improving upon last year’s 14th place finish is also paramount.

“Winning state as a team my freshman year was very special and it feels great to be going back as an individual, but I wish my team could be here competing as well. I just need to be in the right mindset and bowl well,” Letscher said. “I feel like I can win it all, but all other bowlers also have that same mindset process so it’s who shows up that day.”

Canfield has had three individual qualifiers under head coach Carl Hurd, now in his 10th season with the program.

Paul Harris (643) in 2013, their state title year and Jeremy Hammond (715) in 2009 each finished third and Hurd reiterated that Letscher can win it all.

“Andrew had about as good a season you could have at the high school level. Winning as a team is one thing, but being an individual champion is something else and Andrew definitely has that capability,” Hurd said.

Tyler Longwell (205) and Jason Nolen (204) led the Raiders in average during the regular season while Burd’s son Tavish (190), Tommy Seese (190), Alec Adair (182) and Joseph Homa (178) round out this year’s state contingent.

Adair’s 256 roll was good enough for sixth at district while Tavish negotiated the lanes last Saturday for a 255 roll and 642 series; both good enough for seventh-place at district.

Homa bowled a 588 series and Longwell a 544 set with Adair’s 256 in his third game tops of two games rolled.

“We had a great second half of the season and after finishing first at sectional and third at district, we’re hoping to ride that momentum right to the end,” Longwell added. I’ve been looking forward to this for four years so this is a great feeling for everyone. We have good team chemistry, but need to fight our battles one at a time. The goal is to get to the final eight and then anything can happen.”

Action begins at 10:30 a.m.