By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

The Division II State Kick-Off Tournament was held in Columbus, featuring the top teams in the state competing in what is often a preview of the final state tournament in March.

The Rootstown Rovers’ girls varsity team made the trip to Columbus to compete against 20 teams in the Kick-Off and was the only team from Portage County to participate among the boys and girls events.

Rootstown finished the preliminary round in 11th place, advancing to the stepladder finals and held onto the 11th spot to complete their tournament.

Rover team members included: Olivia Davies 154-166-134 454, Nina Gill 131-191, Anna Drago 136-134 and Valeri Derteen 134.

Hailie Furry, Charlotte Simkanin, Alyssa Fienberg and Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt all also competed for the Rovers.

The ultimate champion of the kick-off was Fort Recovery.

The Andy Day-coached Rovers are beginning this season after winning four straight conference titles and advancing to the state tournament finals two straight years, finishing fourth and seventh, respectively, in Ohio.

Congratulations to the Coventry Comets boys varsity team and Aaron Rose who finished 12th in the qualifying round and successfully worked their way through the stepladder finals to win the championship beating four schools in three Baker game roll-offs to take home the trophy.

Both Coventry and Rootstown will compete in the Rover Sectional Preview Tournament in January. Spectators are welcome to watch the outstanding bowling of the teams in Northeast Ohio.

DIVISION I STATE KICK-OFF TOURNAMENT

The Ravenna boys competed in the Division I State Kick-Off Tournament in Columbus.

Competing among the top 28 teams in the state, the Ravens earned 23rd, which was just outside of the stepladder finals.

Raven boys competing included Peter Jennings 157-182-181 520, Jeriah Miller 165-126-201 492, and Matt Fuller 200-117.

Champion of the boys Division I kick-off tournament was Gahanna Lincoln.

SOUTHEAST UNDEFEATED

The Southeast girls have already bowled five matches and are undefeated for the season.

Beating Lowellville, Champion, Crestview and Brookfield, the Pirates are 5-0 against their Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference opponents.

The girls usual starting lineup includes Emily Morrison, Emma Smith, Lizzie Smith, Sarah Craver, Aubree Varga and Penelope Sutliff.

Both Emily Morrison and Aubree Varga are bowling following an outstanding season on the varsity girls MVAC championship golf team.

CRESTWOOD SEASON  PREVIEW

This season, the Crestwood Red Devils are hosting one team that includes both the female and male athletes that are part of varsity bowling. The co-ed team will bowl the boys teams both in the Chagrin Valley Conference and additional teams in tournaments and matches.

The following is the outlook for the Crestwood Red Devils this season.

• TEAM: Crestwood Red Devils
• COACHES: Annette and Bruce Thompson
• HOST LANES: Sky Lanes, Garrettsville
• RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Seniors Carter Desatnik, Jakob Taylor, Mitzi Houchen; Juniors Chase Thompson and Matthew Wright.
• BOWLERS TO WATCH: Jakob Taylor Carter Desatnik and Chase Thompson. “With their drive and determination, they can become true power players,” said Coach Annette Thompson.
• EXPECTATIONS: “We expect to learn, grow and have fun at a sport that is not the norm,” said Coach Thompson. “We want these kids to develop and grow to love a sport that can last for generations. Bowling is a sport that can be shared with all types of abilities and ages.”
• 13^th FRAME: Newcomers to the team are junior Riley Danner; freshmen Isaac Leyh, Jake Lilley, Mackenzie Richmond and senior Allen Papciak. “We are looking forward to a season of learning and developing the program.”