By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Rootstown junior Justin Miller traveled to Columbus to compete in the State Singles 11th Grade Championships that were hosted at HP Lanes on Sunday.

Miller started his competition with qualifying games of 221, 255, 168, 246 and 215 for an 1,105 score total, which was good for runner-up in qualifying.

The top-eight bowlers moved into the stepladder finals to determine the champion.

Miller proceeded to work his way through the bracket with outstanding single games. In the first match, he easily won 236 to 164. A close second match saw him win by two pins (195-193). With one match remaining, Miller tossed a 220 game to defeat Drew Damron (211) of Jonathan Alder High School — located in Plain City — to earn the championship.

Miller was able to put an exclamation mark on the season he had for the Rovers and Rootstown won the Portage Trail Conference championship as Miller earned Player of the Year honors with his 223 average.