Fortener helps lead state runner-up Coldwater girls
The Coldwater Cavaliers frequently contend with high expectations and exceed them. This season was no exception.
The defending state champion Coldwater girls bowling team lost five seniors to graduation — most of them four-year starters — but the Cavaliers were back at the state tournament for a ninth consecutive year. With only one returning starter in the lineup, the Cavaliers advanced to the championship match for the sixth time in seven seasons, finishing as state runner-up to Fairport Harding at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl on March 1.
“I expected the girls to get to state, but with only one returning bowler, I didn’t expect this,” Coldwater coach Rick Hartings said.
Senior Emily Fortener, a four-year-starter, and junior Lauren Wenning, a first-year varsity bowler, led the charge for the Cavaliers with 617 and 601, respectively — good enough for third and fourth place in the individual standings. But Fortener did more than tally strikes and spares.
“The senior leadership of Emily Fortener and Emily Forsthoefel was just amazing,” Hartings said. “Their leadership really helped us put it all together.”
Confidence and camaraderie came up big in the Cavaliers’ second-round match against familiar foe Versailles when both teams posted a 162, forcing a roll-off. Coldwater got the win, 39-33, to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The Cavaliers went on to win 3-1.
“When they needed to, they all really believed in each other,” Hartings said.
With only two senior graduating, Hartings has high hopes for next season for his tournament-tested Cavaliers.
“We are definitely fired up for next year,” he said.
Versailles finished fourth and St. Marys fifth in the team event, while Northwestern and Graham placed sixth and seventh, respectively.
Boys championship: Mechanicsburg made it look easy with a dominating title match performance. The Indians topped Jonathan Alder in three straight games to take the D-II boys title. St. Henry and Graham finished the tournament in third and fifth place, respectively.