By Colin Baumgartner
Review Editor
The Lake Orion girls bowling squad finished 12th in qualifying at the state finals last Friday at Sunnybrook Lanes in Sterling Heights, missing out on the quarterfinals by 200 pins.
‘The girls were a little disappointed because they weren’t in the top eight, but they bowled really well,? said Coach Kevin Crowther. ‘They went out and had fun.?
The Dragons bowled six Baker-format games (in which five players rotate to fill in 10 frames) and 15 individual games (no more than three per player), to make up the 21-game qualifying block.
Lake Orion’s team total of 3,669 pins was better than six of the 18 state finalists.
‘It was a pretty solid team effort,? Crowther said, praising the efforts of junior Sara Gadwa, among others.
‘The non-senior girls we took, I think it will be good for them,? the coach noted.
The team graduates four seniors, but three varsity-level players will return, and some of the state champion junior varsity members will certainly be promoted.
‘It’s definitely a stepping stone,? Crowther said. ‘We’re hoping that this is a prelude of things to come.?
On Saturday at Sunnybrook, Kelli Skarritt competed in the individual state finals.
Her six-game qualifying score of 1,269 earned her the ninth seed for the round of 16.
At that point, players went head-to-head (based on seeding) in a best-of-three format.
After dropping the first game 202-189 to Sara Litteral of Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, Skarritt edged out a 199-198 win to send it to a winner-take-all third game.
‘Kelli came back really well in the second game, but it took a lot out of her emotionally and physically,? Crowther noted.
Skarritt fell 196-132 in the third game.
‘By that point, she had bowled Thursday night in practice, four games in team finals and six games to qualify,? Crowther said, adding that Skarritt was pleased to make the final 16 after missing out by less than 10 pins last year.
‘When you’re talking about the top 16 bowlers in Division I in the state, you’re talking about a one or two pin difference in averages,? he said. ‘It’s definitely a bit of a crapshoot.?
‘She did a great job and we were all really proud of her.?
Crowther also credited his assistant coaches, especially Gary Skarritt for having the team so well prepared.