Area teams prevail with chemistry, camaraderie
Chemistry and camaraderie have translated into championships for local bowlers at the state level.
While the results are unofficial, Dayton teams will likely sweep the fourand five-person team events at the Ohio State United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships, which recently wrapped up at HP Lanes in Columbus. Andrea Behr, Jessica Hatcher, Lindsey Furnas and Kari Graham, of Dayton, and Rachael Delserone, of Lorain, posted a tournament-leading 3,490
scratch and 3,571 handicap score in the five-person team event — a familiar finish for the Pin Pals.
“Our five-person team won last year as well, and it was the same team other than Lindsey replacing Candace (Shepard),” Graham said. “I was very excited to win with this team — not only the scratch division, but also the handicap. Every single person bowled well and contributed to the high score, and it was just fun to bowl so well with these ladies who are all such amazing people and talented bowlers.”
Hatcher, now with four state titles, all in the team division, credits camaraderie for the win.
“These ladies are some of my best friends and we have been bowling together for a long time and have the same goal, to win but have fun,” Hatcher said. “This year, we just really clicked and all bowled great.”
Furnas led the squad with 743 but it was about high fives as much as high scores. “We are always there to pick each other up,” Hatcher said. “We know each other’s games so well that we can help each other out. I love team bowling and the chemistry that our group has is really special.”
Furnas also credits chemistry. Our team worked very well together, we worked together on making moves and adjusting as the lanes changed,” she said. “Communication was the key.”
While the Pin Pals were tallying their tournament-leading score, the High Rollers — Ann Coleman, Lori Reasoner and Shannon Pluhowsky, of Dayton, and Carly Graham, from Cleveland — were doing the same in the four-person event. The Dayton squad posted a 2,732 scratch and 2,810 handicap score.
“As I’m getting older,” Graham said, “I truly appreciate every tournament win, especially with wonderful friends.”