Area girl bowlers hopeful
By John Raffel
Division 1-2
Rockford is taking dead aim at the girls state finals this season under coach Lianne Buck. Two individuals, Heather Buck and Isabelle Brekke, made it to the state Finals. Heather Buck qualified second for the top 16 but lost in the first round and finished third in the conference. Heather Buck was high average in the conference.
“The trio hopefully will come together when it counts. They have the ability to make things happen.” Buck said/
“We had a slow start but I think we are starting to know how to score together as a team. I am hoping we make it to the state finals. The team’s strength is building each other up. Not letting a bad shot take down the team but rise above it and try better next time. We need to keep making spares and not letting easy spares get away from us.
‘I think we will be one of the top contenders in our conference.”
ill keep him grounded and focused.”
Top 16 all-staters: Heather Buck, Rockford (1); Madison Burdick, Charlotte (2).
Division 3-4
New Lothrop’s girls team hopes to be a factor this season.
“The girls had a season that was topped with extreme ups and downs.” coach Caryl Walling said. “There were times where we could not field an entire team due to a truck in the ditch to a time where they beat the unbeaten Bendle girls team. At regionals, the girls just missed going to state as a team by 40 pins. But we had two girls qualify for states as individuals.
“Samantha Bitterman is a three-year captain of the girls team. She has been to the state tournament for the past three years and is looking to make it four this year with a trip to Battle Creek with her strong team and as an individual.
“Kate Muron is a relative newbie when it comes to bowling. But this two-handed girl is no joke, making the state tournament her first year of bowling and is expected to go again.
“Anna Miller, a three-year starter is a strong bowler, missing going to states in 2017 by one pin. We are looking forward to seeing this young lady shine in her senior year and expect to see her deep in the tournament.
“Elissa Henige is a three year starter and co-captain. This senior is a backup bowler with a mean swing shot that we have been working on. She is one to watch as we move into the season.”
Carson City-Crystal has a new coach with Doug Sanders.
Leading the team is senior captain Chloe Billings and senior Zoey Hunter; plus junior August O’Brien and sophomores Maria Miner, Kiars Keyes, Savannah Speckin and Grace Selleck.
“I am hoping as a new person to the varsity coaching position that I can bring enjoyment to all these bowlers, and with such a young team, I hope like everyone else to some day be able to have one or more go to state tournament from Carson City Crystal High School.”
Top 16 all-staters: Lynsey Blonshine, Central Montcalm (3); Jazmin Milks. St. Louis (4).