CANTON — And then there were seven.
McKinley High School senior Jonathan Waggoner became the seventh boys player to shoot a 300 game this season in the Stark County High School Bowling Conference recently at AMF Hall of Fame Lanes.
That ties the all-time conference mark set during the 2014-15 season when six boys and one girl (Wooster’s Courtney Peck) shot 300. It does break the boys mark of six set that season.
“It’s been an up-and-down season,” said Waggoner, speaking following Saturday’s Stark Division I sectional tournament at Eastbury Bowling Center. “We didn’t win very many matches, but I still enjoy being with my teammates. We have fun together.”
Waggoner hit his 300 in Game 1 of his 511 series using an Idol Cosmos, which he used for both games. It was his first 300, with a previous high of 288 set earlier in the season during a Federal Division match with Green when a 7-pin denied him a shot at 300.
The nerves didn’t stark kicking in until the final frame.
“I was really nervous going up there,” said Waggoner. “But I really didn’t start shaking until I took my first step on the approach. I was trying to keep my cool.”
His first shot in the 10th frame was flush, but he admittedly “pulled” the second shot, which hit high flush in the pocket but still carried.
The third shot was a crossover strike that carried.
“That third shot was all nerves,” Waggoner said, “but they all fell down and that’s what mattered.”
Waggoner, who has bowled at Hall of Fame for three seasons with the Bulldogs, admitted the line was “easy for me” that day.
“I really didn’t have to move at all,” Waggoner said. “Once you bowl there a lot, you kind of know what you’re doing.”
It was not however his high series of the season. That came during the SCHSBC’s Early Bird tournament in November when he shot 524, including a 279 game, to lead individuals in the two regular games.
As for the next step, Waggoner said he hasn’t started looking at colleges yet.
“I would like to bowl in college though,” he added.
The other players so shoot 300 this season in the SCHSBC include North Canton Hoover seniors Chase Wensel, Ryan Dague, Connor Lab and Manny Doerfler; Canton South senior Travor Gore; and Massillon junior Nico Fromholtz.
Waggoner’s 300 was the fourth overall by a McKinley player. Two were shot during the 2022-23 season by Hunter Henson and Zachary McCutchan; the other during the 2010-11 season by Brandon Pirolozzi.
CONFERENCE BANQUET SET
The annual Stark County High School Bowling Conference banquet will be held at 1 p.m. April 7 at Raintree Golf & Event Center in Uniontown.
Tickets are $22 each, with a limit of two per athlete. Athletes being admitted free. Athletes invited to the banquet include team champions from each division, special award winners, and first and second team all-conference selections.
Tickets will go on sale in March.
In addition, the conference’s annual All-Star Matches, are set for March 23 at Eastbury Bowling Center. More information on that event will be announced.
OHIO SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Ohio seventh-12th grade state singles championships are set for noon March 23 and 24 at HP Lanes in Columbus.
Entry fee is $80, with bowlers rolling five qualifying games before the cut to the championship round, either four or eight players, based on entries. Scholarships will be awarded. The event is sponsored by the Ohio High School Bowling Coaches Association.
The grades seven through 10 event is set for March 23; the grades 11 and 12 on March 24.
See the entry form below:
MATCHES FOR FEB. 16
STARK COUNTY CONFERENCE
BOYS
NORTH CANTON HOOVER 2,872, MARLINGTON 2,163
(at Park Centre Lanes, North Canton)
Two-game series: Hoover 2,220 (Wensel 224-248, Wells 279-223, Lab 187-204, Doerfler 237-214, Dague 213-191); Marlington 1,710 (Toole 209-177, Clemens 211-127, Thomas 195-235, Scott 139-148, McIntyre 122-147).
Baker System: Hoover 220-187-245; Marlington 128-185-140.
GIRLS
NORTH CANTON HOOVER 1,908, MARLINGTON 1,704
(at Park Centre Lanes, North Canton)
Two-game series: Hoover 1,626 (Bussey 147-146, Eynon 180-172, Ripley 210-188, Allen 120, LePelley 128, Deihl 126-210); Marlington 1,431 (Wines 219-181, WestCole 146-182, Pate 134, Vigliotti 147-108, Turner 102, Kerr 114, Cross 98).
Baker System: Hoover 145-137; Marlington 159-114.