By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

As bowling teams begin their schedules in January, many may be looking ahead to the OHSAA tournaments with a nod to earning a trip to state. Teams and individuals representing schools in Portage County have done very well at the state level and are looking again to reach the final event of the season.

Tournaments and matches have helped the athletes hone their skills as they continue deep into the season.

ROOTSTOWN ROVERS

The Rover boys and girls had a solid week during the holiday, bowling in several close matches and a tournament.

The girls earned the championship at the Clutch Lanes Tournament in Peninsula as Emma Day and Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt finished fourth and second, respectively, among the field.

Day rolled a 559 series with a 212 high game and Hammerschmidt put three games together for a 597 series with a solid 242 high game.

The Rovers added a 211 Baker game to finish the six-game series for the championship in the tournament. The team is coached by Andy Day.

The Rovers’ boys earned the runner-up spot in the tournament among eight teams as Cuyahoga Falls won the championship.

Earlier in the week, the Rover boys were in a fight for the victory with visiting Austintown Fitch.

Rootstown pulled out the narrow win 2,529 to 2,520.

“The nine-pin win was a come-from-behind victory,” said coach Thom Butcher.

Leading the Rovers in the exciting match was Justin Miller (258-433) and Nick Moorehead (236-409).

“We were down 43 pins going into the Baker games, but then the boys fired 224-202-253 for a 679 series to win by nine pins,” said Butcher.

TOURNAMENTS

The Rootstown Rovers Sectional Preview Tournaments are set for Jan. 18 and Jan. 19, with Division-I teams bowling on Saturday and Division-II teams bowling on Sunday.

The Division-I tournament is sold out, but there are still a few lanes available for Division II.

To register for the tournament at Spins Bowl in Kent, email Rootstown athletic director Keith Waesch at waesch@roversk12.org or call 330-325-2006.

The Garfield G-Men host the G-Men Classic at Sky Lanes on Saturday and Sunday, with boys teams bowling on Saturday and girls teams bowling on Sunday.

For information, call Aaron King, proprietor at Sky Lanes and tournament director, at 330-524-2646.

RESULTS AND MATCHES

Don’t see the team your are looking for and their results.

Portage Sports covers all teams in the greater Portage County area.

Following each match, text/email results to 330-206-9083/golffam2@gmail.com. We would love to highlight every success story of local athletes.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call or email.