KALAMAZOO — The Three Rivers bowling teams each claimed regional championships this past weekend. There were also several individuals who are headed to the state bowling finals as well.
The regional was hosted by Vicksburg and took place at Continental Lanes in Kalamazoo.
The Wildcat boys posted 3,241 total pins knocked down. That included single games of 1,001 and 927 to close it out. Three Rivers was the only school of the 12 in the regional to bowl at least one game with 1,000 pins knocked down. In baker game action, the Cats averaged better than 164 in the eight games.
Vicksburg also qualified, finishing second as a team with 3,190 total pins. Sturgis was sixth for the boys at 2,986.
For the girls, Three Rivers totaled 2,775 pins, beating Marshall’s 2774. Sturgis finished third overall at 2,741.
The Wildcats bowled singles games of 752 and 693 and averaged better than 166 pins in the eight baker games.
Sturgis coach Scott Spahr said he was proud of his team’s efforts.
“The teams started off the morning with a bit of a struggle. The gentlemen figured it out just a bit before the ladies, but would falter at the end,” he said. “The ladies would continue to improve, but were facing a deficit that was ultimately just a bit too large to overcome.”
Sturgis finished 10th in the regional last year and graduates only two of the 10 in this year’s rotation, meaning the Trojans are feeling good about next year.
The Bronson boys also qualified for the state finals as a team, finishing second in their region. They totaled 3,273 pins.
In singles action, which took place on Saturday, there were several local qualifiers.
Jayna Larson of Three Rivers was the regional champion on Saturday. She bowled six games totaling 1,152 total pins. Khara Kimes of Sturgis was second overall, she knocked over 1,133 total pins in her six games. Miley Holden of Sturgis also qualified for the state finals, totaling 1,002 pins. Three Rivers’ Lillie Kerr qualified seventh, she totaled 984 pins.
Clayton Shortridge of Bronson won an individual regional crown. He bowled six individual games totaling 1,316 pins. He finished just ahead of teammate Drew McConn, who totaled 1,235 pins. Both are headed to the state finals.
Three Rivers’ Nick Allen finished second overall at 1,268 pins. Tyce Wilds was third at 1,251 and Ashton Lahman finished sixth at 1,203. All will bowl in the state finals.
For Sturgis, Josh Groff came in fifth place with a score of 1,219.
Bronson’s Audrey Shiery will compete at the state finals. She finished third overall in the region at Royal Scot in Lansing with a six-game score of 1,039.
Constantine’s Austin Bishop will compete at the state finals as well. He finished seventh in the region with 1,027 total pins knocked over in his six games.
McKenzie Schleben of Constantine is also headed to the finals. She finished seventh overall at the region with 890 pins.
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at mailto:bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: See which bowling teams, individuals qualified for the state finals
Reporting by Brandon Watson, Sturgis Journal / Sturgis Journal
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