The North Union Lady Cats pose for a photo after qualifying for the state bowling tournament after placing third at the district on Thursday at HP Lanes. The state tournament will take place on Saturday, March 3 at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.
(Photo submitted)
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The North Union Lady Cat bowlers made school history yet again on Thursday, becoming the first NU team to qualify for the Division II Ohio High School Athletic Association state bowling tournament.
The Lady Cats set history just a few weeks ago when they won their first Mid Ohio Athletic Conference title and earned a first-place finish at the MOAC tournament. The goals became reality, said head bowling coach Brent Markham.
“I told our Lady Cats at the beginning of the season that we have three goals,” he said. “After flirting with state qualification a year ago by finishing fifth, our girls came together today reaching our final goal of finishing third in the district tournament and advancing to the state tournament for the first time ever.”
The Lady Cats claimed their third-place state qualifying spot with a combined score of 3205 at HP Lanes in Columbus.
Jonathan Alder earned the championship with a team score of 3285, while Heath was second at 3207.
Hallie Nichols of JA rolled a 531 to place fourth as an individual.
Rena Kirts tallied a 518 for seventh place.
Allyia Nicol of NU was also crowned the Central District individual champion with a three-game score of 548. The remaining Lady Cat scores were as follows:
-Alexis Jameson, three –game score, 453.
-Kallie Price, three-game score, 439.
-Kierstan Diaz, two-game score, 291
-Katie Buckingham, one-game score, 190
The Lady Cats will return to the lanes on Saturay, March 3 when they bowl for a state title at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl. The first pins will fall at 10:30 a.m.
The North Union boys bowling team also competed at the Central District tournament where its season ended with an eighth-place finish. NU finished with a team score of 3168.
Connor Brandt was the Wildcats’ top performer with a three-game score of 501. Grant Daum tallied a 456 after three games and Matt Quigley knocked down 450 pins after three games.
Matt Millington turned in 296 score after two games. Riley Young collected 280 pins and Blain Keckler rolled a two-game total of 264.
The Wildcat wrapped up the season with a 10-7 record.
Fairbanks bowlers’ season ends
The Fairbanks Panthers also had three individual bowlers at the D-II district meet at HP Lanes.
Hunter Johnson represented the Lady Panthers with a three-game total of 451 for 26th place.
Trevin Rausch of the Panther boys team, finished the district meet in 22nd place after tallying a three-game total of 500.
Anthony Nichols turned in a three-game total of 431 for 46th place.