Ben Murphy
Contributing Writer
(Photo Provided)
The Charlotte boys bowling team is no stranger to qualifying for the state finals tournament. But winning a regional championship? That was unchartered territory; that is until the Orioles won their Division 2 regional on Friday, at Continental Lanes in Kalamazoo.
“It feels amazing,” head coach Scott Mather said. “To watch all the hard work the boys put in and being rewarded with regional champions is amazing.”
After eight baker games and two regular games, Charlotte had a combined pinfall of 3364. In second place was Pennfield with a 3234.
“Great teamwork (was key),” Mather said. “This team has an amazing work ethic.”
On Saturday, in the singles portion of the tournament, the Orioles were able to get two to qualify for the individual finals; Matthew Shoemaker and Tyler Mulvany. Shoemaker finished in second place, with a six-game score of 1200, only 16 pins behind the regional champion Lane Malone of Sturgis. Mulvany was able to place fifth with an 1143.
Others competing for the team in singles was Ethan Richardson, who was 14th with a 1083. Brenden Slanker was 16th on a total pinfall of 1083, Conner MacKenzie had a 39th place finish on a roll of 984 and Landon Jackson had a 40th place finish with a 980.
On the girls’ side, they took fifth place in the team portion. They also had Lori Jackson come in sixth to punch her ticket to the state finals; with a total score of 997. Also, for the Lady Orioles, Jasmine Jens was able to score a 904 to come in 19th, Christine Robertson had a 34th place finish by tallying a 759, Ava Criscuolo managed a 36th place finish on a 716, Genevieve Rudy was also 46th at 613.
The Division 2 state finals are Friday and Saturday at Waterford’s Century Bowl.
“Our hopes were to make it to states, now that we’ve qualified all we have to do is what we do best and we will be fine,” Mather said.
