USBC Ohio State Bowling Association State Championship
Team Actual Leaders
Rick Hartings 215-216-214 – 645
Jerry Kessler 227-205-207 – 639
Brian Kretzer 247-231-181 – 659
Chris Loschetter 228-267-255 – 750
James Storts 216-247-246 – 709
The team roster reads like a who’s who of some of Ohio’s best bowlers, including a pair of PBA tour titlists.
It’s little wonder that the team of Rick Hartings, Jerry Kessler, Brian Kretzer, Chris Loschetter and James Storts has taken the lead in the United States Bowling Congress Ohio State Bowling Association State Championship team event with a 3,402 actual score. The tournament-savvy bowlers, however, despite their many accomplishments, have only three state titles between them. Kretzer has a pair and Kessler one.
The first-time teammates clicked right away when they started their shift at Capri Lanes on April 25. With all five bowlers being right-handed, it made reading the lanes and making adjustments easier.
“There was a pretty free exchange of ideas and the lines of communication were definitely open,” Kessler said.
While a tournament win is definitely desirable, it’s about more than titles for these teammates, it’s about friendship.
“Brian and I have been friends for 20 years, he helps me with my (PBA) Regional event every year,” Hartings said. “Brian, Chris and I bowled together last year, we just added a few new guys.”
The new guys earned their keep, as Storts, with a 709, was second high on the team to Loschetter who posted a 750 series. Kessler finished with 639.
Like Hartings, Kessler is a longtime friend of Kretzer, as well as Storts. That camaraderie may well have contributed to the team’s success.
“It’s a great team of bowlers and a great group of guys,” Kessler said. “But we aren’t counting it as a win yet.”
The actual team leaders don’t have long to wait as the 10-week state tournament wraps up play today.
“It was fun bowling with these guys and, hopefully, it holds up,” Hartings said.
It would be more than a first-time state title for Hartings, it would be added credibility for the Coldwater High School coach who has coached six state championship teams, three boys and three girls.
“I feel like I had a little more to do with this one,” he said, smiling.
Reaching out: She has dedicated countless hours as a GDUSBC director and the Centerville High School coach and, now, the bowling community is giving back to Lindsey Coulles.
The GDUSBC Youth Leaders are sponsoring a fundraiser to help offset the mounting medical expenses for Coulles, who was diagnosed with cancer last year. The event is being held May 14 at Poelking South Lanes from 7-10 p.m., the cost is $20. For additional information or to make a donation, contact the GDUSBC at 222-2695.
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