AKRON — After getting to second place following two games of Monday’s Division II girls sectional bowling tournament, Central Catholic High School head coach Bud Stebbins knew his team was scoreboard watching.
“There were some nerves there, especially as they saw the scores tightening up,” Stebbins said. “Maybe I shouldn’t tell them where they stand from now on.”
The Crusaders, who claimed the sectional title at Eastbury Bowling Center a year ago en route to their first district team appearance, managed to hold on and secure the final district qualifying spot at Stonehedge Family Fun Center.
Crestwood, thanks to a tourney-high 1,101 Baker System round, topped the sectional field with 3,452 total pinfall. Also advancing are Woodridge (3,165) and Garrettsville Garfield (3,156) along with Central (3,106).
The Crusaders gained the final spot by just 49 pins over Rootstown (3,057). While Central, which was third following the opening three games, finished with 860 in Bakers, the Rovers gad 832, including a 101 in Game 4.
“We had to grind it out. We were trying to hit 160s (in Bakers), which we didn’t make,” Stebbins said. “We had a couple of rough ones, but averaged around 145, and that was just enough.”
Joining the Crusaders at the Northeast Division II District, set for 10 a.m. Feb. 26 at Holiday Bowl in Struthers, will be Canton South junior Kate Telaroli, who earned an individual berth.
The top four teams and top four individuals who are not members of advancing teams moved on to district play.
Leading the Crusaders, who were not out of the top four in the 14-team field the whole day, was senior Alina Stebbins with a 538 series, tied for third overall. Stebbins claimed the sectional individual title a year ago.
Other key contributors for the Crusaders were juniors Sarah Colucy (471), and Alexandria Vargo (466).
“We practiced on Sunday, but it was a little tougher today,” Bud Stsbbins said. “The lower pairs were hooking a little more and we just couldn’t seem to get strikes to carry.”
With Rootstown just seven pins out of the final spot heading into the Baker System six-game block, Stebbins knew what was at stake.
“I wanted them to keep their nerves under control, just roll the ball and not over-steer it,” Stebbins said. “I just talked to them to get each one to make just one spare at a time.”
The Crusaders had a successful trip to Holiday Bowl earlier this season, qualifying third during the Super Bowl Blowout that was contested on the district lane pattern.
“We bowled pretty well there. I think we can get out (to state), but we have to do better than we did today,” Stebbins said. “Today, we struggled on spares.”
TELAROLI ADVANCES
Telaroli finished as third-high individual and eighth overall with a 493 series She will be making her first district appearance.
Crestwood junior Emily LInamen was the top individual with a 614 series, the only player to shoot 600. Other individual qualifiers include Rootstown freshmen Emma Day (538) and Cassandra Egli (496) and Southeast sophomore Abby Smith (485).
Among other area teams, Akron Springfield (seventh, 2,838), United Local (eighth, 2,721), East Canton (ninth, 2,670), Canton South (10th, 2,602) and Marlington (14th, 2,332) missed the cut for district play.
The Crusaders will be busy prior to district play with five matches schedule and one other to possibly reschedule.
“We will have to take a look at that one,” Stebbins added. “That is scheduled for Feb. 25, and I want to see if we may want to practice instead. Whatever is best for the team.”
And whatever gives the Crusaders the best chance to advance after finishing ninth during the district tournament a year ago.
