Fairport finishes 11th at state tournament

Fairport’s boys bowling team placed 11th in the Division II state bowling tournament at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl on March 2.

The Skippers compiled a team score of 3,415 that left them 102 pins back of qualification for the state finals.

“We obviously expected to do better,” Coach Jerry Rich said. “The field’s obviously very strong being the state tournament and whatnot. But we felt like we were in a good spot and actually kind of peaking at the right moment. But that didn’t quite work out.”

St. Mary’s Memorial defeated Plain City Jonathan Alder to win the D-II state championship.

Fairport won its first district title since 2013 two weeks ago, when the Skippers dominated the field at Buckeye Lanes in North Olmsted. The Skippers’ score of 4,244 at the district tournament was the highest mark posted by any state qualifiers in their respective districts.

“Obviously it means a lot any time you get to the state tournament,” Rich said. “For us, it is kind of what we expect every year, also. Any time you get to the state tournament, obviously you’re one of only a handful left, so that’s special, but that’s how we operate our program. That’s our goal No. 1, to get to Columbus.”

Fairport notched 2,905 pins in its first three games. The Skippers compiled 510 pins across their three Baker games.

Fairport’s familiarity with the state bowling tournament meant the Skippers have a routine for their near-annual trip to Columbus. The team was disappointed it was unable to qualify for the state finals, but Rich and his players hold no regret.

“We didn’t do anything special,” Rich said. “We didn’t make the top eight. You know, we didn’t bowl bad, I can’t sit here and look back and be mad about it. I think we bowled average. Nothing special, nothing bad.”