ORLANDO — The 2025 FHSAA Florida High School Bowling Finals took place Tuesday night at the Boardwalk Entertainment Center in Orlando, and there wasn’t any Polk County team or individual who placed high enough to advance to Day 2.
The team or an individual needed to place in the top 16 to get to Day 2. Still, it was an overall good year for Polk County bowling teams and players. George Jenkins placed 25th as a squad with 3,391 pins knocked down, while Kathleen was 29th with 3,195 pins.
For George Jenkins, it was a historic year, marking the first time in program history the boys advanced to state. The girls have advanced to state the last two years.
“It was fun to come in and see the boys (compete) …,” George Jenkins head bowling coach Mett Townley said. “… They bowled hard. They really did. I let them know that when you get to this level of competition, (they) got kids who bowl 280s, 290s. They really didn’t do anything wrong. They really did not. They were just up against some tough opponents. They did great.”
Leading the way for George Jenkins was Riley Darby, who bowled an 815 overall. His high score was a 227. Right behind him was Diego Ayala (overall 761, high 224) with 77th place.
“We’ve got a great nucleus. I don’t want to single out one over the other. They just all come together,” Townley said.
What a year it’s been for George Jenkins. In 11 matches, the Eagles have placed in the top three six times.
George Jenkins will still be really good next year as well, though they are losing Derek Figueroa, Diego Ayala and Cole Clark. But the rest of the team is coming back.
Meanwhile, Kathleen boys bowling was right where it was supposed to be, especially with having Mason Griffin — the 2024 Boys Bowler of the Year ― transferring from Lakeland, along with all-county bowler Aidin Galligan and Thor Wikman.
Griffin, who had an 852 and a high of 237, was the highest-placing Polk County bowler thanks to finishing in 23rd. Galligan posted a 748 with identical highs of 194 and an 82nd finish. He will be graduating this year.
First-year head bowling coach Carol Baker said she’s proud of the team.
“It’s been a good year for them. It’s been a good experience for the ones who are ninth and 10th graders. It’s good experience to see what’s going on, and then they’ll get a little more serious I think,” Baker said.
Bartow bowler Jordan Bowman finished with a 622, with his high being a 169.
Bartow head bowling coach Anthony Cohen said Bowman did an exceptional job.
“Individually, he’s made a lot of changes. He’s improved a lot. Jordan is doing well. And he’s just holding his own,” Cohen said.
Here are other individual Polk County results: Winter Haven’s Adam Wilson (77th place, overall 762, high of 243), George Jenkins Figueroa (128th place, 657, 196), Kathleen’s Chevy Torgerson (168th, 400, 173) Kathleen’s Jowell Castillo (173th, 365, 134) and George Jenkins’ Fernandez (174th, 356, 203).
This article will be updated.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: George Jenkins bowling finishes 25th, Kathleen 29th in state; See Polk County results
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
