Butch Harmon
Sports Scene
When it comes to the top Division 1 boys’ bowling teams in Michigan, few can match the success of the Davison Cardinals.
The last three seasons have seen them qualify for the state finals and make it to match play at state and reach the elite eight level.
This year, the Cardinals are looking to take things a step farther at the state meet, and with a deep and talented cast of bowlers returning, they have the capability to do that.
Davison returns five veterans from last year’s team, led by one of the premier high school bowlers in the country. An individual state champion his sophomore year, senior Tylor Greene won an individual championship at a high school national tournament in Las Vegas this past summer.
Greene is not the only standout on the team, as senior Grant McNally is a returning all-conference bowler who has stepped up his game. McNally rolled his first 800 series and his first 300 game during the off-season.
Davison has a number of other veterans back, including senior Austin Like, a starter the past two years, along with Kyle Weider and Blake Harman. Senior Tyler O’Brien, an alternate on the varsity last season, also returns. The Cardinals will also get a boost in late January, when senior Chase Smith, a transfer from Durand, become eligible to bowl.
Davison girls bowling
For many teams across the state, qualifying for the state finals is a big accomplishment. For the Davison girls bowling team, it’s become a habit each February.
Last year, for the fifth year in a row, the Davison girls qualified for the state finals. Not only did the Cardinals qualify for the state meet all five years, but they also made it to match play each time, making them one of the top eight teams in the state.
This year, with five of their top seven bowlers back, the Cardinals are primed to make another trip to the state finals.
Not only does Davison have experience, but it also has highly-talented bowlers. The starting five bowlers all average over 185, with three bowlers averaging around 200.
Seniors Erin Brown and Brittany Groulx head the list of returnees. Brown earned all-state honors last season and was also a first-team all-conference selection. Groulx also enjoyed a big season, as she earned all-conference honors.
The Cardinals also bring back a trio of experienced juniors. Brooke Wood was a first-team all-conference bowler last season, while Heather Baur earned honorable-mention all-conference honors. Jennifer Phillips rounds out the list of talented junior bowlers returning.
Added to the veterans are some highly-skilled new bowlers, including freshman Brooklyn Greene, freshman Erin Brown, and senior Katie Smith, a transfer from Kearsley.