Centerville girls dominate district bowling tournament

The Centerville Elks hold the distinction – and bear the target – of being one of the area’s premier high school girls bowling teams. Opponents took their shot at the Elks in the Division I district bowling championships Thursday.

While the opposition missed, the Elks seldom did during three individual games in the morning session and six Baker games in the afternoon session at Beaver-Vu Bowl.

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Centerville – coming off a sub-par fifth-place finish at last week’s sectional tournament – found the pocket often for a 4,083 team pin total that sent a few audible gasps through the crowd when the final results were announced. That was good for a 103-pin victory over runner-up Wayne. The Elks held a 29-pin lead heading into the final Baker game.

“That’s what you think of when you think of the boys bowling,” Centerville senior Allie Ball said. “It’s just incredible we did that. We did such a good job focusing on our shots and keeping our mentality the same. We didn’t let one shot get us down right away.”

Centerville, Wayne, Cincinnati Seton (third), Beavercreek (fourth) and Troy (fifth) finished among the top five teams to qualify for the state tournament March 8 at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl. Xenia finished sixth, just 19 pins shy of advancing. Xenia junior Caity Moody grabbed one of the five individual qualifying spots.

“If we bowl like we did today we can definitely win it,” Centerville coach Eric Edmondson said. “It’s nice to see the girls I’ve coached all year show up for the tournament. A great match for us, especially to come back after sectionals.”

The Elks have qualified for state six straight seasons and 11 of the past 13. At district they knocked off four of the teams they lost to at sectional.

“My mentality was to try and win,” Centerville senior Payton Watson said. “You learn from losses but it’s a good time to peak. I think we’re peaking at the right time.”

Ball led the Elks with a three-game 601 series in the morning session. Watson rolled a 600 and was followed by sophomore Kaylie Sipes (560), senior Erika Taylor (547), junior McKinsey Maruca (541). Juniors Annie Pangallo and Maya Thacker were alternates.

Wayne freshman Ericka Reed won the individual district championship with games of 236, 234 and 212 for the 682 series. That was 34 pins better than senior teammate and runner-up Audrie Goffinet.

“We knew Ericka was coming last year and she’s doing really well,” Wayne coach Mike White said. “She put that piece we needed in the puzzle to get everything working.”

The state tournament will again be GWOC heavy with four girls teams and one individual qualifying. On Thursday in the D-I boys district tournament Beavercreek, Fairmont, Butler and Troy qualified for state behind district champ Cincinnati Elder. Springfield senior Cullen Rogan qualified as an individual for the tournament on March 9.

The Elks know what to expect from the state tournament’s loud and energetic environment. Seeing familiar and friendly faces also helps.

“I’ve only been bowling for three years, even in that short time I’ve gotten to know so many bowlers from different schools,” Taylor said. “Just so many people I never thought it’d be friends with and it’s been a great experience.”

And it’s not over yet.

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