LCN freshman wins regional title
The ninth grader, who has an older brother on the L’Anse Creuse North bowling team, started practicing with the Crusaders when she was in the seventh grade.
She got to know coach Darin Driscoll and some of the bowlers, and she couldn’t wait for her opportunity to join the varsity this season.
“It has been an absolutely amazing experience,” Zalenski said Saturday after winning the Division 1 individual regional tournament at 5 Star Lanes in Sterling Heights.
“The girls are amazing. I could not have hoped for a better team to be part of. Everyone was so welcoming.”
Zalenski bowled 192 in the first of six games on the Phantom 2 oil pattern.
“That set the bar for me,” she said.
After a 156, she posted 206, 234 and 245 to take control of the tournament and finished with a pinfall of 1,199.
“I got into a groove,” Zalenski said.
L’Anse Creuse North senior Haley Straetmans finished second with 1,172.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Zalenski said of winning a regional championship in her first try. “I was confident that I would at least go to states, but never in a million years would I have thought I could win it.
“It’s absolutely insane to me. I have no words for it.”
The top seven finishers advanced to the state finals that will be at Thunderbowl in Allen Park on March 2.
Grace Polega of Ford finished third with 1,156 and was followed by Rochelle Ferris of Stevenson, 1,149; Haylie Patterson of Dakota, 1,110; Jessica Rolder of Roseville, 1,079, and Madelyn Raska of Romeo, 1,066.
Straetmans, Ferris, Patterson and Rolder are seniors. Polega and Raska are juniors. Zalenski, Straetmans and Patterson will also bowl in the state team finals at Thunderbowl on March 1.
Straetmans had 211 and 235 in