By BILL SNIER
COLUMBUS — Chalk up the 2025 OHSAA Division II State Bowling Championships as a learning experience for at least two Northeast Ohio individuals.
The third just hopes when he returns, his starting pair will change.
Springfield sophomore Rylan Slusser, Brooklyn junior Adam Cowper and Lake Center Christian junior Zeke Conley did not accomplish their goals of reaching All-Ohio status Saturday at HP Lanes.
But each took something away from their experiences.
Cowper, a two-handed righty who earned All-Ohio status last season with a 675 series to finish seventh overall, finished with 655 this time to finish 21st overall, missing the cut to All-Ohio by 19 pins.
He again started the tournament on Lanes 3 and 4, where he shot 206 a year ago to start. This time, he had 208.
“I had new equipment, but I started with the same ball as last year. But if you got the ball out too wide, it would not carry the 10-pin,” Cowper said. “But if you got it inside, it would go Brooklyn … just like last year.
“My goal honestly was to win, but also to have a more consistent release, stay at the foul line longer and not fall off of shots. It was basically the same as last year when I didn’t do any of that stuff, but then I got into some bad habits.”
Cowper is hoping for a return his senior season with a better result.
“I need to keep a good attitude, throw good shots and repeat shots,” Cowper said. “I was definitely more settled this year.”
FIRST-TIMERS SHOW NERVES
Slusser and Conley had to battle first-time nerves in their inaugural trips to the state championships.
Slusser had games of 225 and 248 before finishing with 161 for a 634 series to finish 28th overall.
“I had splits the first three frames and made a ball change too late,” said the sophomore two-handed lefty about his final game. “I wanted to have fun and enjoy the moment.
“The nerves weren’t really that bad until I heard the national anthem. Then they started.”
Slusser felt he threw the ball well, but “I hit the pocket every frame in the first game, but the hits just didn’t go my way.”
He failed to convert just one makable spares, but had five splits, including four in Game 3.
“I had room to the left, but if I pulled it right, it went through the nose,” Slusser said. “The one ball was just weak down lane and wasn’t finishing (in Game 3). If I moved left, it would overhook and if I moved right, it would come up at all.
“I have to learn more about different balls and what they do … add a couple to my arsenal and get more consistent.”
Conley termed his day as “not very good” after struggling with a 489 series and a high game of 172.
“I tried to overcompensate every time I made a mistake,” said the two-handed junior righty, who also tore the skin on his finger during the event. “I was hitting the pocket, but I just couldn’t carry
“The nerves were there, but after that, I just started doing bad and it carried over the rest of the day. The team I crossed with (Champion) was throwing urethane, so the oil pushed more down the lane.”
But Conley learned some things in hoping to return in 2026.
“I know what to expect more form the oil pattern and what urethane will do when it’s pushing it,” Conley said. “I have to roll the ball and not hit up on it so I don’t yank it right.”
Also out of the Northeast District, Rocky River Lutheran West junior Zachery Smeal finished third overall with 739 after shooting 278 his final game to earn first-team All-Ohio honors..