Andrew Letscher Canfield | Boys Bowling

Canfield’s Andrew Letscher took second place in this year’s Division I state bowling tournament on March 4 with 773 series.

No, it obviously didn’t earn the Cardinals senior a gold medal. But he did take home the silver, as he’ll leave Canfield this spring with all three medals (he earned gold his freshman year with a Cardinals team championship and bronze in individual competition last season).

“I have them all,” Letscher said with a laugh.

This year’s state tournament capped quite an impressive high school career for Letscher, The Vindicator’s male bowler of the year. As a junior last season, he bowled a series of 636 with a high-game of 226.

He stepped up his game this year at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl, as he notched a 289 in the second game and a 279 in the third — not that he was overly excited.

“I went and got something to eat after,” Letscher said. “My mom and I travel a lot with bowling. So it was just another weekend for us.”

Letscher’s parents, Martin and Sarah, own McKinley Lanes in Niles. Martin was a professional bowler for over 30 years. Accomplishing all that he has so far, Andrew is simply following in the family footsteps.

“I was born into it,” he said.

Letscher will continue his bowling career at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky. There, he’ll study business.

“It’s two of the things that I know the most,” he said. “If bowling doesn’t work out like I want it to, business is always something I know I’ll be good at.”

Additionally, Letscher plans to immediately start touring. He can’t turn pro until after college, but even as an amateur, he’ll be able to bowl in countries like Japan, China and Germany.

“A lot of the stops are in different countries.” Letscher said. “So it’s an outlet for me to travel around the world as well.”

— Steve Wilaj