Area boy bowlers seek state berths
By John Raffel
BOYS
Division I and 2
Rockford could have one of the state’s top Division I boys teams this season under coach Paul Bellgraph.
“The boys bowling team is off to a good start this season with a second place finish in the Wyoming Tournament and wins over Wellspring and Sparta,” Bellgraph said. “We are led by Matt Buck, a junior and the defending D1 State champion, and Trey Laven, who are the only guys back from last year’s top squad. They are joined this year by Sebastian Tramper, Chris Gutowsky, Jackson Miller and Kaleb Simon. We also have a good group that is pushing them and could make their way to the top squad at some point in the season.
“Matt Buck is ready to make the trip back to state but he knows it’s a long season and he has to be ready every time out as the other teams will be coming to knock off the state champ. Matt has a great attitude for this and knows all he can do is his best each day but he also knows he’ll have some off days and that understanding will keep him grounded and focused.”
2018 top teams:
Top 16 all-staters: Matt Buck, Rockford (1), Carson Clark, Lowell (2), Chris Clark, Bay City John Glenn (2)
Division 3
William Armour III is the head coach of a strong Portland boys bowling team that was the CAAC Blue Division champion and finished 11-1. The team in competition threw 29 200 games.
Luke Dalman, 11th grade last year, made it to states by winning regionals, and finished states in 11th. This year he is stronger and will compete for the state finals. Jack Dalman, senior finished in second at the state finals and this year he will battle for the victory at states.
“Evan Warner, senior last year, missed state by 14 pins and is bowling better than ever and I expect him to make it to states,” Armour said. “Bennett Rushin 12th grade has really come into his own this year and will be our fourth bowler to make states
“This will be a special year the talent and passion we have to win will drive us to a CAAC championship, regional championship, and state finals.”
ill keep him grounded and focused.”
Division 4
St. Charles and coach Mark Faupel hope to make some noise this season. St. Charles finished with a record of 13-1 in the West division of the Tri-Valley Conference and tied for 1st with Ithaca. The only loss was to Ithaca (17-13), which snapped a 37-game conference winning streak which dated back to December of 2015. Top moments were winning the Tri-Valley Conference Tournament and qualifying for the state tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Other top moments were having 3 bowlers qualify for the singles at the regional tournament (Michael Pratt, Drake McFarland, and Luke Martell).
The final highlight was defeating defending state champion Vandercook Lake in the quarterfinal round of the state finals. St. Charles lost to Bronson in the championship match.”
Michael Pratt is the team’s anchor bowler.
“Michael is the best athlete on the team,” Faupel said, “and has decided not to play basketball this year to focus strictly on bowling, He is determined to lead the conference in average and qualify for singles once again at state. He has high expectations for the team and would like to end his career with a state team tournament run this year.”
New Lothrop boys had its season end against St. Charles in the state finals and coach Caryl Walling is hoping for another big season.
“Tate Steinborn, senior captain, and Anchor, is expected to be a standout bowler this year. Fresh off of a Junior Gold Championships qualifying in Dallas, Texas, this two-hander has the skill and mindset to roll an over 200 average and help captain his team at the same time. He will make an appearance at the state finals this year,” Walling said.
“Braden Sovis our senior, co-captain (Lead-off) is expected to excel this season. This four-year varsity bowler has hidden depths and skill which allow him to roll a 240 game at the drop of a hat. This program expects him to make an appearance at the state finals this year.
“Kaine Moriarity (Junior and Co-Captain) is a strong bowler who made waves at the 2018 Collegiate Showcase. Kaine has a strong competitive spirit that pushes him to never give up and has been averaging 230 in practice. This young man has shown a strength of character and perseverance that makes him a student athlete that is wonderful to work with.”
Carson City-Crystal has a new coach with Doug Sanders. Bowlers are: seniors Josh Currier, Justin Niemi and Xavier Waltz; juniors Austin Carmichael and Dakota Kolowski and freshmen Doug Billings, Marcairio Tenhave and Kaden Walker.
Top 16 all-staters: Matt Hoard, Ithaca (3); Dalton Carl, Ithaca (3); Luke Dalman, Portland (3); Jack Dahlman , Portland (3); Kyle Nohel, Meridian (3); Drake McFarland, St. Charles (4); Luke Martell, St. Charles (4); Vaughn Filkins, New Lothrop (4); Michael Pratt, St. Charles (4).