Many area bowling teams are excited over their prospects for the 2017-18 season, and that includes veteran skipper Exie Robinson of Saginaw Heritage.
Robinson has been involved in bowling for more than 30 years
“Jonathan Villarreal, a freshman, is a very talented bowler and we are hoping we will have a better season this year,” Robinson said.
Key returnees this year are Samuel Seegobin Ryan Henne Emilio Duran and John Jacoby,
Robinson expects to have a team that can compete for a regional title.
“Strengths of this team is that they have been exposed to the fundamentals of the game of ten pins,” he said. “Things to work on are spares, definitely, and more time on the lanes. The key to success is to stay focused on and off the lanes.”
BOYS
Division I
Davison is led by senior Brandon Kreiner.
Ryan Blanchard is an all-stater with Bay City Western and ready for another big season along with sophomore teammates Jackson Elias, a sophomore. Sophomore Matt Buck is a returning sate qualifier for Rockford.
Division 2
All-staters returning are seniors “Carson Clark of Lowell and state qualifiers Justin Engadine (sophomore) from Mansoe and Matt Bidigare (sophomore) of Haslett.
Division 3
Corunna is defending state runners-up and could make a bid for the title.
Returning state qualifiers include Mason Eddy of Swan Valley, junior Jack Dalman of Portland, seniors Matt Hoard, Dalton Carl and Dylan Macha of Ithaca, senior Trevor VanLoo of Belding, and senior Jason Homrich of Tri County.
Division 4
St. Charles’ Kyle Tuttle has graduated after three state titles. Junior Matt Pratt is a returning all-stater for St. Charles as is sophomore Weston Wise for Breckenridge.
GIRLS
Division 1
Davison was the state champion and Rockford a quarterfinalist last season. Junior Heather Buck of Rockford is a returning all-stater. Junior Cecilia Mosqueda is back for Midland along with senior Samantha Rocjow of Bay City Western, both state qualifiers. Other reigning qualifiers are junior Gabriella VanHorn for Holt, senior Ivanna Villarreal for Saginaw Heritage and senior Courtney Rathbun for Midland.
Davision 2
Flint Kearsley beat Bay City John Glenn team in last year’s state title match. Charlotte was a state semifinalist. Kearsley returns three all-staters with senior Barbara Hawes, junior Haley Roof and sophomore Imari Blond. All-stater Taylor Duff, a junior, is back for Lansing Waverly. State qualifiers returning include senior Emma Boychui of Flint Kearsley, and senior Whitney Adams of Charlotte.
Other state qualifiers back are junior Sara Galloway of Cedar Springs, senior Morgan Allison of Lowell, and senior Karlee Griffin of Flint Kearsley.
Division 3
Birch Run took the state title last season. State qualifiers returning include senior Elizabeth Ancrel of Bullock Creek, junior Madison Hoffman of Birch Run, senior Kemmie Shunk of Alma, junior Jordyn Ryan of Portland, juniors Denise Bryce of Birch Run and junior Makayla Phenix of Central Montcalm and senior Jeanette Courtnay of Ovid Elsie.
Division 4
St. Louis was state runner-up last season. Junior state qualifier Jaxin Milks returns for the Sharks. Another state qualifier back is junior Samantha Bitterman of New Lothrop.