STRUTHERS — When it ended Saturday at Holiday Bowl, Central Catholic High School head coach Bud Stebbins was asked how he felt coming in about the Crusaders’ chances of getting to start after earning their second straight district berth by just 49 pins a week ago.
“I knew we stood a chance if they bowled like I know they can bowl,” Stebbins said.
They did, and proved Stebbins right.
The Crusaders, who never fell lower than sixth, finished third overall to earn the first state team berth in the program’s history during the Northeast District Division II girls bowling tournament.
Central, which kept improving following an 809 in Game 1 of the three-game regular series, finished with 3,629 total pinfall while moving up one spot with 214 and 162 in its final two games of the six-game Baker System block.
Triway, district runner-up the past two seasons en route to top-eight state appearances, took the lead after Game 2 and rolled to victory with 3,919, followed by Warren Champion (3,757), Central and home-standing Struthers (3,629), which gained the final spot by 119 pins over Fairport Harbor Harding.
The top four teams and top four individuals not part of advancing teams move on to the state tournament, set for March 5 at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl in Columbus.
It’s only the second time in Triway program history that the boys and girls teams have advanced to state in the same season. The first was in 2020.
“I’m not trying to be big-headed or anything, but our goal is the state championship. They’ve bowled six tournaments this season and won four of them,” Triway girls coach Corby Anderson said. “We wanted this to be the seventh and our fifth win and, next week, is the eighth and we want six wins.
“That’s what we want, and they’re on board with it. We’ve been second here the last two years, and we wanted to win the thing.”
CENTRAL STAYS HOT
The Crusaders have been on a roll in recent weeks, setting school records for match total (2,501) and team game (949), with senior Alina Stebbins breaking her own marks for series (523) and game (279).
“They’ve been on fire the last few weeks, and they’re bowling real well at the right time,” Bud Stebbins said.
What changed?
“I think a little less pressure from the coach,” Stebbins said, laughing. “But everyone just seemed more relaxed, having more fun and our scores started going up.
“Coming in, I told them to just bowl the best you can and leave here with your heads held high no matter what happens.”
Alina Stebbins led Central with a 594 series, including a 181 in her final game, to finish ninth individually and miss the all-tournament team by just six pins. But that meant little to the Wright State University commit.
“It’s very crazy right now … I’m so happy. I never would have believed this,” Alina Stebbins said. “We’re just a team honestly. We calmed down and came together. We’re definitely a team and a family.”
Juniors Alexandria Vargo (577) and Sarah Colucy (540) backed up Stebbins, with Vargo adding a 221 and Colucy a 209 in Game 3 to put the Crusaders in the top four by 53 pins heading to Bakers. Senior Amanda Varacky also had 521.
Alina Stebbins, who had 413 heading into the last game, fell back a little in Game 3 but was picked up by her teammates.
“My first two games went very well, but my third game was iffy. But we made it. Our goal, honestly, was to get to state,” Alina Stebbins said.
The Crusaders followed their 809 with 894 and 916, and then added a 1,012 in Bakers — fourth high.
“Better spare shooting was the key,” Bud Stebbins said. “A lot of them were really nervous coming in and we got those out in Game 1. We were missing some single-pin spares.”
YODER LEADS TRIWAY CHARGE
After falling 31 pins behind Champion after Game 1, Triway shot 994 in Game 2 to take the lead and was not seriously challenged again.
“A couple of the girls were upset early when they weren’t carrying. I told them, hey, our goal is to find out where we need to be, get to the pocket and leave easy, makable spares,” Anderson said. “We can’t get frustrated Once we let go of the shot, what happens down there is out of our hands.”
Sophomore left-hander Emma Yoder came out of the gates strong with 245 and finished with a tournament-high 688 series. Fellow sophomore Addy Meshew finished fourth overall with 620, including a 277 in Game 2, Juniors Danielle Demsmore (524) and Lindsay Miller (501) also aided the Titans, and freshman Kennedy Finley had 483.
“A lot of things went right for me … focus, motivation, the shots were there. Everything was just there,” Yoder said. “I have a mindset that clicks during tournaments so it flows together. I try not to focus too hard. Just go out there and do what I know how to do, and it just ends up working.”
Champion got within 66 pins of the Titans following the third regular game with a 913. The Flashes also shot the lone 1,000 team total in Game 1. Triway had 853 in Game 3.
“(Head coach) Vince (Yoder) and I talked about it. After being frustrated, it’s so hard to get yourself to just relax and make another good shot,” said Anderson, whose team lost to Coldwater and Greenon in previous top-eight appearances at state. “I preach one shot a a time.
“We want to have fun back here, but you also have to take a deep breath and make a good shot. We knew Champion was gaining a little bit and losing a little bit. But the more we win like this, the more they are going to grow.”
Individual state qualifiers included Youngstown Ursuline senior Gia Radilovic, who shot 630 good for fourth place overall, including a tourney-high 278 in Game 2; Cuyahoga Heights junior Tessa Studniarz (605); and two Crestwood players — junior Emily Linamen (600) and senior Sydney Coburn (587). There were eight 600 series in the field of 14 teams.
Canton South junior Katie Telaroil, making her first district appearance, finished 49th with a 456 series.
Champion was led by the one-two punch of juniors Brianna Williams (680) and Kris Dickson (666), who finished second and third, respectively. Junior Mary Williams led Struthers with 616.
What do the teams do now to prepare for state?
“Put in some more time on the lanes, keep practicing and stay warm,” Bud Stebbins said.
“Spare shooting, practice, but not too much so we have no injuries,” Alina Stebbins said.
But at this time of year, Anderson said, not much is going to change.
“With what we’ve done all year, if they are not ready by now, extra practices are not going to do it,” said Anderson, adding the Titans will practice Tuesday. “They’re minds are ready.”
Emma Yoder admitted the expectations are high for this group.
“We have high expectations for ourselves and the coaches do … everybody does,” Yoder said. “We are a good team, and when we mesh, good things happen.
“But anything less than second would be disappointing (at state).”
NORTHEAST DIVISION II DISTRICT
(At Holiday Bowl, Struthers)
Final team standings (top four advance to state): 1, Triway 3,919; 2, Champion 3,757; 3, Central Catholic 3,631; 4, Struthers 3,629; 5, Fairport Harding 3,510; 6, Woodridge 3,500; 7, Crestwood 3,459; 8, LaBrae 3313; 9, Garrettsville Garfield 3,224; 10, Wickliffe 3,137; 11, Open Door Christian 2,912; 12, Hubbard 2,896; 13, Girard 2,838; 14, Brookside 2,820.
Individual qualifiers; Gia Radilovic (Ursuline) 639; Tessa Studniaz 605; Emily Linamen (Crestwood) 600; Sydney Coburn (Crestwood) 5487.