By BUTCH HARMON
The Kearsley bowling program hit the daily double and hit it in a big way at the Division 2 state boys’ and girls’ bowling finals at Century Lanes in Waterford.
Not only did the Hornets win their first-ever boys’ team state title, but the girls also won their second team state title in three years. The wins put Kearsley in the record books as only the second school in MHSAA history to win both the boys’ and girls’ team titles the same year.
With just one senior in the lineup, some thought next year would be the year for the Kearsley boys. Instead, the future was now, as the Hornets defeated Marysville 1,422-1,229 in the title match.
Ben Roof led the Hornets with a 242, while Kearsley’s lone senior, Peter Soresen, rolled a 224. Brandon Richard added a 227, while Tony Kelly rolled a 214.
Kearsley reached the final by defeating Mount Pleasant in the semifinal and Brandon in the quarterfinal.
In the girls’ final, Kearsley defeated Bay City Western 1,267-1,120. Kayla Emmendorfer led Kearsley with a 233, while Anna Rutledge rolled a 170 and Hannah Ploof a 168.
Bay City Western was led in the finals by Anna Kuehne, who rolled a 190, and Claudia Gielda, who added a 173.
Kearsley reached the final by defeating Escanaba in the semifinal and Ionia in the quarterfinal.