The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
North, Mentor bowlers ready to roll for state tournament
Mentor’s Alexis Sullivan will hold nothing back in Columbus.
Eastlake North’s Jaylen Look has his sights set on the ultimate individual prize.
Sullivan and Look headline Lake County’s charge this weekend at the Division I boys and girls state bowling tournaments at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.
Sullivan is a senior who has experience at the D-I state tournament, thanks to two appearances as a member of Mentor teams that have qualified in previous seasons. This time will be a bit different for Sullivan, but she’s ready for it.
“We were hoping to make it as a team, but (going as an individual) makes it more personal for me,” said Sullivan, who is the Cardinals’ only senior.
No matter how this weekend plays out, this season has been special. Her father, Randy Sullivan, is her high school coach. She began playing when she was 10 years old, and when success was building, Sullivan made it a point to take the game more seriously.
It’s led to her last tournament as a senior, and she wants to go out strong.
At the Wedgewood Lanes District, Sullivan had the third-highest score among
all girls with a 577. She was the second state qualifier among individuals. Sullivan had games of 214, 161 and 202. That’s a 192 average, which she would take March 10 at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl.
“I know what I’m up against,” said Sullivan, who plans to bowl at Youngstown State. “There will be great bowlers (at state), but I love the competition. I’m into this. My usual goal (for tournaments) is to average 180. I know what I’m capable of bowling.”
Sullivan’s best series occurred last season as a junior when she posted a 696, with a high game of 269. Her best game this season is a 235.
Big numbers have been the calling card of Look this season. That was the case at the district tournament, where the North junior was the top individual qualifier at Wedgewood Lanes District. His threegame total of 646 was second to Wadsworth’s Cooper Wrobel, who advanced to state as a member of his district champion team.
Look’s 252 in Game 2 was the highest individual score of any state qualifier at the tournament. He also had games of 203 and 191.
The 252 game stood out for Look, who in that game started with seven straight strikes. He’s hoping for more of that March 9.
The lanes at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl won’t be unfamiliar for Look. He competed there in 2013 in a youth state tournament.
If a big score is needed to win individual honors, Look has the potential and the results this season to be a factor. He’s bowled seven 300 games in 2018, including two for the Rangers — one vs. Kenston and another at the Brush Invitational.
“I’m averaging around 228 this season, and being around 230 is what I’m hoping for at state,” Look said. “If someone is around a 700 series, I can almost guarantee that will win (the state title).”
The key for Look performing at his best is his accuracy, and hitting the right spot on the lane with each throw. If he finds that consistency, anything is possible — even the ultimate prize.
“It would mean everything to me,” Look said about winning a state title. “The grind of the season has brought me here, and a win would be great for the school and me personally.”