We are on the cusp of a great week in our area for scholastic bowling. On Friday at Plaza Lanes in Celina, the Western Buckeye League will hold its first ever conference bowling tournament.
Saturday, the WOHSBC will wage what some are calling its version of the Civil War when bowlers from the northern division of the conference roll against the southern tier of the conference.
Once again our area is the focal point of the bowling world.
On Friday evening, Shawnee’s Austin Fought set the stage for the upcoming week by getting beat by an eighth-grader. On Saturday afternoon he became only the second bowler to roll a perfect game in the history of the West Ohio High School Bowling Conference.
The 300 game was the first recorded in the conference since Trent Haughn of Ottawa-Glandorf was on target for 12 strikes in December of 2008.
“Friday night I was just out getting the arm loose. On Saturday I could not have done it without my teammates, my coach and family behind me!”
“It felt pretty good but it was hard to finish, the first ball in the 10th was the hard one, the last one was actually easier. It was pretty awesome.”
Fought finished the regular WOHSBC with an average of 217, an increase of eight pins over his junior league average which is kind of unique.
When asked about the increase in average, he gave the response that a coach would love.
“The support has been a big help. I went out and put in a lot of work and a lot of money. I wanted to become a better bowler. I wanted to make myself a better bowler for my team!”
Fought still has the dream to be a fire fighter and it is clear that he has the heart and the drive to pull it off.
This Saturday he will lead Shawnee into the conference’s version of the Civil War when the North portion of the conference takes on the South. The Indians finished second and will roll against St Henry around 1 p.m. Saturday at Westgate Lanes.
Perhaps a more fitting battle will occur Friday afternoon around 1 p.m. at Plaza Lanes in Celina for Western Buckeye League gold.
When asked about chances in this event, Fought responded, “I think that we have a real good shot at coming out on top, we have a real strong team.”
When asked about Wapak. “We only lost by 37 pins when we bowled them before so I know we can hang with them and we may have a chance.”
Fought speaks with confidence but also with respect for Wapak. He recognizes that the Redskins are a great team but it is clear that he feels that if the bowling winds blow in the right direction that they will have a good chance.
Likewise he and his teammates are looking forward to competing in the OHSAA State tourney. They see it as a great chance to close the season on a high note.
Fought was not the only kegler to excel Saturday.
Gabe Dilallo rolled a 416 set for a season high for Temple Christian but was eclipsed by some really great scores at Van Wert on Saturday afternoon as the North brought down the curtain on its season.
Wapak closed the season undefeated with a victory over Ottawa-Glandorf, 3,002-2,345. Meanwhile Coldwater easily outdistanced Ansonia 3,246-1,653 to claim the South and earn the right to roll against Wapak for conference honors Saturday.
Tyler Miller rolled a 259 and Brandon Kennard scored 256 and 220 for the Redskins.
The fat lady was able to sing for the young ladies of Wapak as well as they took down Celina 2,661-2,402. Britni Hosterman led a very balanced Wapak squad with a 200. Dorian Regedanz rolled a 221 in leading the Celina attack.
Lima Senior’s Morgan Twining closed the regular season with honors for the day with a 222.
Paige Hartings had games of 223 and 215 to do what leaders do — inspire her team to a 2,691-1,828 win over Ansonia.
The victory set up another Wapak-Coldwater battle for conference gold. That match will get underway at 9:45 a.m. Saturday at Westgate.
