NDCL’s Hanzak rolls into record books

Senior has eyes on better showing at state tournament this season

A pastime family and friends partake in on the weekend is becoming one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the nation: Bowling.

It’s one of the fastest-growing along with lacrosse. Ohio is on the road to its 14th state bowling tournament. There are two divisions for both boys and girls, with there being 416 boys teams and 378 girls teams.

One of those schools is Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. Last year, Ryan Hanzak qualified for the Division II state tournament, the first Lion to do so in school history from the boys or girls teams.

Now a senior, Hanzak has always had a passion for bowling, and has seen relationships, both family and friends, develop.

“Ever since I picked up a bowling ball at a young age, I fell in love with the sport and knew it was a passion of mine,” said Hanzak. “Through bowling, I have grown closer to my grandpa, and have made so many wonderful relationships.”

While he was a state qualifier last season, Hanzak didn’t just hit the lanes. He was also on the hardwood playing for the JV basketball team.

Hanzak was able to participate in two sports thanks to time management he has learned in his time at NDCL.

“As a very busy person with multiple extracurricular activities, my time management has been a key priority to my academic and athletic success,” said Hanzak. “Through NDCL, I understand the importance of not procrastinating while putting my best foot forward in all that I do.”

While he was participating in two sports last winter, Hanzak shifted his focus solely to bowling for his senior year.

Going into the state tournament last year, Hanzak averaged scores of 201-193232 for an overall score of 626. If he had bowled his average scores at the state tournament, Hanzak would have finished in 15th place.

Hanzak bowled 172-182186 for an overall score of 540, which put him in 58th place. So he decided to focus on bowling during his senior year.

“My decision to participate in bowling this year was because of my performance last year at states,” said Hanzak. “After a poor performance, and a failure to meet the goals I wanted, I have made it a top priority to work on my game and achieve the unfinished business from last year. With basketball taking up lots of time, I felt that I was losing certain parts of my bowling game that were critical for my individual success and the team’s success.”

Despite his performance at the state tournament,

Hanzak had performances in the regular season that showed that he belonged among Ohio’s best when the tournament rolled around.

Last year, he bowled two 300 games. The first one was at the North Coast League tournament on Jan. 3, 2020, which was the first 300 game in school history. He also holds multiple school records.

With two more events left in his high school career — district and state — Hanzak wants to make more history for the school.

“It is an indescribable feeling to know that I am part of the NDCL record book and history,” said Hanzak. “Being able to hold multiple records at NDCL like high game, high average, high two-game series, high three-game series, and the first-ever NDCL bowling state qualifier just shows myself that my hard work is paying off.

“Walking into NDCL as a freshman, I wondered how I could leave a legacy at this school, and through this sport, I have created the legacy I imagined as a freshman. Although my time

left in high school is short, I still have one more goal and record that I would like to accomplish before graduating and that is winning a state title for my school that has done so much for me over the past four years.”

Hanzak is using the records and his performance at the state tournament last year as motivation. He has experience from competing in big tournaments, so he doesn’t feel any extra pressure.

“After my run last year came up short, I immediately began to set higher expectations for myself,” said Hanzak. “Throughout my bowling career, I have traveled to many large tournaments that have helped me control my emotions and pressure. I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have been given to compete at such a high level because I know it is only preparing me for bigger things.”

Hanzak’s athletic career won’t stop when the final pins fall on his senior season. He will continue to bowl when he starts attending Walsh University while he studies pre-med.

Hanzak