On a roll: Fitch’s Seebacher returns to state bowling tournament


By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

Unlike last weekend’s Division II state bowling tournament when three teams and five individuals carried the Mahoning Valley banner, the area’s hope for a champion in Division I rests solely with Austintown Fitch’s Renee Seebacher.

Her quest for a state title begins this morning at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.

A four-year letterwinner for the Falcons, Seebacher is making her second consecutive trip to state. She was a part of the Fitch girls team that went to state a year ago.

Seebacher rolled a 585 (174, 207, 204) three-game set in the district tournament.

“I’m very excited. This has been the goal since the beginning of the season,” Seebacher said. “I wish my teammates could be there, but I’m just happy to be representing Fitch High School.”

She says keeping her composure will be key.

“I’m going to try to stay focused and control what I can control,” she said. “I’ll need to make good shots, pick up my spares and repeat the process.”

The Falcons went 10-4 this season and won the All-American Conference Red Tier tournament under the direction of first-year head coach Lynette Seebacher, Renee’s older sister.

“As the season progressed, Renee has gotten better and is peaking at the right time,” Lynette said. “She’s a great teammate and has always been supportive of her teammates. It’s never been about her, always about the team and that is why she is such a true team player.”

Seebacher was named MVP of the AAC tournament and is a two-time first-team all-conference selection.

“There’s definitely a lot of talented bowlers in this year’s field,” Renee said. “I’ll just bowl the best that I can and hopefully be proud of my performance when it is all said and done.”

Seebacher owns a 200.7 average, rolling a top game of 256 against Canfield this season.

Renee rolled a 290 in practice and her coach says her sister is capable of bettering both of those rolls.

“He biggest strength is her ability to stay calm. Nothing fazes her,” Lynnette said. “Renee has a great mental game an is an excellent spare shooter.”

Seebacher started bowling at age four and has never looked back.

Of the eight tournaments her team entered this season, she was named to five all-tournament teams with two first-place finishes. The first coming at Midnight Madness Cincinnati back on Dec. 1 and the other at the AAC tournament.

Renee also placed eighth at districts where she was named to the All-NEO District team.

Playing for her sister has been a fun experience, she said.

“It was kind of weird at first, but she treats me like any other bowler and I treat her like I would any other coach,” Renee said. “She knows me better than anyone and has been watching me since I first started. She knows what works and what doesn’t work for me.

“Over the course of the season we worked on a lot of things, especially timing. She, too, is an excellent bowler and has been very helpful, not just to me but the entire team.”

Lynette was sixth overall at state 2014 to earn second-team all-Ohio laurels. She also helped Fitch to a third-place team finish in 2013.

Renee sports a 4.0 grade-point average and is a candidate for class valedictorian honors.

Renee plans to attend Youngstown State and major in integrated science education. She hopes to become a high school biology teacher.

Bowling for the Penguins is also an option.

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