John Raffel
Sports Scene
Al Post is coaching a St. Louis boys bowling team that was second in the state in Division 4 last season.
“We’re pretty young,” Post said. “We had six seniors last year. Cody Post [his son] was our anchor. He was around four years. He’s in college now. We’ve got one returner from last year, Dylan Sayles.”
Across the state, “Sandusky will be tough, they’re always tough. Bad Axe in our division will be very strong,” Post said. “The team that beat us, Grass Lake, was young when they beat us.”
Most of the top bowlers across the state from last year have graduated, Post noted.
Dan Behmlander coaches at Freeland and coached his boys bowling team to its first-ever TVC Central Conference championship a year ago. Freeland also qualified for the team state finals and finished ninth.
Key bowlers back from a year ago are juniors Mark Gibson and Wyatt Eschenbacher, senior Evan Vowell, and sophomores James McLaghlin and Adam Robishaw.
Behmlander said experience will be a strength.
“The boys’ team returns all the starters from last year and has a good understanding of what high school bowling is all about,” he said.
Spare shooting might be a weak area, Behmlander indicated.
“The boys have the potential to be the best team in our area if they concentrate, work hard, and just go out and have fun,” Behmlander said.
Charles Davis will be coaching a Bay City Central boys’ squad that had a high baker game of 279 at the L’Anse Cruese Tournament; was second in the Saginaw Valley League Conference; tied for first place for the second year in a row at the regional tournament; and had two bowlers, James Michaleski and Eric Olehick, qualify for the state finals.
Michalski and Olenick both return as seniors. Jonathon Niemic and Josh Kryzyaniak return as sophomores.
Davis has high hopes for freshmen Frank Clemente, Derek Lambert, and Tim Daniel.
“We have good balance and team cohesiveness and a good field of bowlers,” Davis said, adding that a possible team weakness will be spares and their ability to consistently cover their spares.
Defending champs include Grass Lake in Division 4.
Zach Fylling of John Glenn was the Division 2 individual champ last year.
GIRLS
Ovid-Elsie’s girls bowling team won the Tri-Valley Conference West Division title and was 10-0 in the division. A year ago, the Marauders sent Sara Smith, Leah Hartman, Makaylin Palatka, and Amanda Mitchell to the All-TVC West first team. Also on the first team were Hannah Chase and Rylee Donley, both of Alma.
This season, Farand Schneider and Michelle Lindsey are looking to have big seasons again for Ithaca, which won its regional a year ago. “I think we can give Ovid-Elsie a run for its money in the conference and go to the state finals again,” said Ithaca coach Dan Macha.
Kyle Woodcock is coach of a St. Louis girls’ team that is led by Candace Woodcock and Casey Monroe.