Dwyer boys roll to become state champs for first time

For the first time, the Dwyer boys bowling team has won a state championship.

After tearing through the bracket at the Boardwalk Entertainment Center this past Wednesday and Thursday, the Dwyer Panthers were pinned against the Apopka High Blue Devils in the finals, who have won a state-record five championships (2013-17).

Dwyer managed to win the first game of the match 200-181, but lost the second game 246-234 to even out the score count. The Panthers closed out the Blue Devils by winning the final two games 216-192 and 192-183.

Last season, Dwyer didn’t even qualify for the state tournament and has only reached the state playoffs twice (2006 and 2009). In 2006, the Panthers fell to Boone High in the semifinals, which was previously their best season in program history.

On the girls side, Coral Springs Charter failed to defend their state championship from a year ago as they were eliminated in the finals of the consolation bracket by the Space Coast High Vipers.

The Vipers made quick work of the Panthers by sweeping them 172-123, 214-170 and 153-142 to advance to the state finals.

Before facing off against Space Coast in the consolation bracket, Coral Springs Charter squared off against powerhouse Oviedo High in the semifinals, who swept the Panthers 222-182, 222-198 and 237-205 and got their revenge from last season’s defeat.

In 2018, the Coral Springs Charter Panthers made school history by raising their first-ever bowling state championship. On their road to become champions, Coral Springs Charter faced off against Oviedo in the consolation bracket finals and knocked out the Lions in a five-game thriller.

Later in the state finals this year, Oviedo beat Space Coast in three games 214-178, 195-177 and 171-168 to claim their state-best fourth championship.

In individual action, Palm Beach Central’s Garrett Simmons, who did the best out of all the Broward and Palm Beach boys, reached round three of the bracket before losing to Bayside High’s John Watkinson.

Watkinson, eventually won the state title, secured the first game 214-146 but fell to Simmons in the second game 183-173. In the final game, Watkinson delivered the knockout punch by winning 237-176

Simmons lost to Miami Palmetto’s Pipho in the consolation round.

Taravella’s Jennifer Oxman was the lone state qualifier for the girls out of Broward and Palm Beach.

Oxman failed to pick up a win in the state tournament after losing to Circle Christian School’s Grace Bringham and Pine Ridge High’s LeeAnne Davidson.

Connor