Alder girls rally for seventh at state

A slow start didn’t turn into a short stay for the Jonathan Alder girls bowling team during the Division II state tournament Friday at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.

The Pioneers, making their third consecutive appearance at state after finishing 16th in 2015 and ninth a year ago, qualified for the championship round despite being in 14th place after the opening game.

After placing seventh during the qualifying round, Jonathan Alder lost to second-seeded and eventual champion Coldwater by scores of 182-147, 172-144 and 156151, and finished seventh overall.

“It sucks that we lost, but it’s always fun to bowl as a team,” junior Rena Kirts said. “We’ve all just gotten closer and gotten better. It’s the (best) time of my school year.”

Jonathan Alder bounced back after bowling a 790 in the opening game with games of 884 and 811 and was eighth heading into the baker games.

Individually during the qualifying round, Kirts finished 18th (549) and junior Rachel Kaeser was 19th (548) while senior Trisha Fox shot 496 to lead the Pioneers.

“We just missed too many spares and it cost us a (higher) seed (during the championship round),” coach Rusty Walter said. “We’re happy we made the cut but a little disappointed in where we thought we could be. Rachel and Rena are going to be back. We’re excited about next year’s team, too.”

Northmor finished eighth as junior Alexis Yarnell was 11th (601) individually and Elgin took ninth as Samantha Smith placed 13th (562).

Competing individually from the Central District were Cardington’s Gabreaelle Arnold (tied for 46th, 501), Heath’s Kally Abrams (54th, 492) and Beechcroft’s Heather Lyons (76th, 458).

“My first two games were a little rough, but I got a 204 in my last game,” Abrams said. “I just had to get the nerves out of my system. It was a great experience.”