OAKWOOD — They finished 1-2-3 to get out of sectional play and gain individual district berths.
But the trio of seniors Brooke Tucker of McKinley and Rachel Young of GlenOak along with Wooster sophomore Abbie Leiendecker saved their best performances for Tuesday’s Division I Northeast District girls bowling tournament at Roseland Lanes.
Tucker turned in her second straight tournament 700 series — a 706 on games of 215, 258 and 233 — to capture the gold medal as district champion. Leiendecker shot two pins better than her sectional total with 665 to finish fourth overall, and Young improved by 44 pins to 664 to finish fifth overall.
The trio topped individual qualifiers for the Division I state tournament, set for March 12 at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl in Columbus. They will be joined by Nordonia sophomore Kolbey Lewin (641) and Kenston senior Jenna Stretch (633), who earned the final spot by 33 pins.
The top five individuals who were not members of advancing teams moved on.
Tucker, who defended her 2021 district and sectional titles, was first-team All-Ohio a year ago after shooting 616, good four fourth place overall in Columbus.
But the defending Federal League Player of the Year admitted she wasn’t in the right frame of mind when the day began.
“Honestly, I wasn’t in the best mood this morning … just a lot of things going on,” Tucker said. “But I was able to get it out and take it out on the lanes.”
Tucker shot 722 a week ago in claiming the sectional title at Eastbury Bowling Center. That day, she used a Storm Phase 4 fresh out of the box. It again was her ball of choice Tuesday.
“Honestly, I made few adjustments. I stuck with the same ball and just moved a couple of boards here and there and it worked,” Tucker said. “The ball carried well and read the lane.
“It reacted like it did when we first practiced on the district shot so I already had a feel for it.”
The primary goal for Tucker is not to beat herself.
“I get in my own head sometimes, get down on myself and just throw the ball and not even care,” Tucker added. “I’m getting a lot better with that, just doing the same shot every time and staying consistent.
“I’m just going to do me and don’t worry about every one else. If I make a bad shot, learn from it and just keep on going.”
Young will be making her second straight state appearance after shooting 508 and finishing 42nd a year ago. After opening with 194 Tuesday, she came back with 246, including the final six strikes in a row, and concluded with 224.
“It’s about always keeping a positive attitude and never giving it too much in my head,” said Young, a Walsh University recruit. “Today was about that and having so much fun with my coach the entire time.”
Young, who used a Motiv Jackal, admitted she was surprised by her scores.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting. I was hoping for 200 games, but I wasn’t expecting a 246,” Young added. “I was nervous last year. This year, the game plan is staying happy and trying my best no matter what.”
Leiendecker will be making her first state appearance after failing to advance out of sectionals as a freshman a year ago. She opened with 247 and followed with 194 and 224.
Qualifying for state also delayed a shopping trip; she is scheduled to run track for the Generals and has to purchase some track spikes.
“A lot went right for me. I did leave a lot of 4-pins today,” Leiendecker said. “I moved when I was supposed to move, but maybe a little later than I should have which would have helped me. But I eventually got there and bowled well.”
Leiendecker, who used the same Track Paragon she used during sectionals, said although the oil pattern was the same, the actual lanes were different.
“I just do what I have to do,” Leiendecker said. “You have to make every spare, get count and stay with the game. Getting to state is just crazy.”
And for the trio, there is one goal left to achieve.
“I go into every tournament the same way,” Tucker said, “and that’s to win the game.”
The quest begins at 10:45 a.m. March 12 in Columbus.