Mix of experience levels for central Ohio teams
Central Ohio’s representation in the Division I state bowling tournaments includes the return of traditional powers and new heights for other programs.
Seeking its fourth championship since 2018, Gahanna’s girls team will appear in its seventh state tournament in eight seasons Friday at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl. Jonathan Alder will be there for the eighth time in nine years.
At the same time, Westerville Central’s Payton Hartgrove and Gahanna’s Delaney Rossette will try to improve on their second- and third-place individual finishes from a year ago. Among their pursuers will be Olentangy senior Phoebe Anderson, a four-time state qualifier, and first-timers Jade Gabor, a junior from Newark, and Taryn Jolly, a senior from New Albany.
The boys tournament Saturday features a different look. Two of the area’s three representatives, district runnerup Hilliard Davidson and Big Walnut, are at state as teams for the first time, as are Marysville’s girls. Boys district champion Westerville Central is back for the first time since 2019.
Here are storylines entering the state tournament:
1. Balance, depth helped Big Walnut, Davidson boys make history
Led by district champion Aidan Furukawa, who rolled a 738 series Feb. 28 at HP Lanes, Big Walnut earned its first state berth, whether as a team or individually. Furukawa, a junior, averaged 211 during the regular season, ninth best in the COHSBC, and finished four pins ahead of Jonathan Alder’s Drew Damron at district. Nick Green (205.5), Tino Tucci (196.7), Collin Noble (180.4), Dominic Bolton (179.2), Shane Longshore (175.3) and Connor Tracy (169.6) are the other primary contributors for Big Walnut.
In an illustration of Davidson’s balance, junior Nicholas Bremer led the Wildcats at sectional (third, 713) and district (ninth, 658) but was second in average (202.9) during the regular season behind classmate Caelen Guthrie (206.6). Freshman Aiden Lieb (199) and juniors James Pettis (184.3), Derek
Wellman (183.6) and Andy Willman (175.4) round out the usual lineup.
2. Championship contender pacing Marysville girls
While the Marysville is headed to state for the first time as a team, senior Madison Strouse is anything but a newcomer. The COHSBC leader in average during the regular season at 210.4, Strouse’s 701 was the best district score statewide by 12 pins.
Wooster’s Abbie Leindecker rolled a 689 to win the Northeast District title.
Strouse was third at state in 2020 and 60th in 2021.
“Madison’s strength as a bowler is due to her ability to prepare not only her physical game but her mental game as well,” coach Matt Strouse said. “Her diligence in not only learning all aspects of the sport but to share that knowledge with others has created strength and confidence in her game and the motivation in setting and achieving her goals.”
3. Westerville Central boys embrace return to state
The Warhawks, who edged runnerup Davidson by seven pins at district (4,232-4,225) after placing seventh behind the Wildcats at sectional, admit returning to state was their only goal.
Juniors Logan Henslee (199.9) and Ben Cantieri (187.4) and senior Kyle Richardson (189.5) pace Central, ahead of freshman Mason Henslee (178.5) and sophomore Michael Gastin (170.3). Cantieri was fifth at district (704).
“We’ve been at our best the past month or so,” coach Tony Gonzalez said. “Making state really was our only goal. We knew we had some growth ahead of us from the start of the season, so peaking at this time was what we worked on. We have definitely kept the team focused on learning to let go and trusting each other, knowing they are all talented enough to pick each other up.”
4. Gahanna, Alder’s girls reloaded
The jerseys are the same but many faces are different for the Lions, who edged Jonathan Alder by five pins (3,530-3,525) at district, and the Pioneers, last year’s state runner-up.
Freshmen Jessica Goldman (175.2), Lacey Holden (174.4) and Rachel Goldman (152.5) and junior Casey Burns (167.7) burst into Gahanna’s lineup behind Rossette (199.1).
Seniors Danielle Phipps (182.7) and Hailey Henderson (166.7) are the only Jonathan Alder bowlers who competed at state a year ago. Juniors Daisy Henderson (168.9) and Jalyn Moore (150.6) and sophomore Ella Cameron (140.4) are the Pioneers’ other mainstays.