By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

As sectional tournaments are completed in Northeast Ohio, the number of teams qualifying for the Division I and Division II districts continues to grow.

At Roseland Lanes on Sunday, both the Streetsboro girls and the Kent Roosevelt boys had outstanding results as the Rockets finished in the top three and the Rough Riders in the top five as both teams advanced to the Division I district event at Rebman Lanes.

KENT ROOSEVELT BOYS

The Rough Riders grabbed the final spot of five as the team edged Nordonia out by 13 pins to join Boardman, Twinsburg, Austintown-Fitch and Solon as district qualifiers.

Senior Braden Latacki led Roosevelt, rolling a 603 series with a 214 high game to take the sixth-individual spot.

“What a great day for Kent boys bowling,” said Al Petrosino, Riders bowling coach. “The boys showed their passion and determination. When they announced the top-five schools, the team burst with excitement, hugs, tears and let’s go.”

The rest of the team and their high games included Colden Prater 243, Eli Logsdon 196, Bernie Rosenberg 214 and Bobby White 151.

STREETSBORO GIRLS

As the sectional tournament concluded at Roseland Lanes in Oakwood, the Streetsboro girls were also anxiously awaiting results.

There were only three spots available to advance to the district from the Division I sectional.

As the results were announced, the Rockets bowled their way to the runner-up position at the event, qualifying for the district.

The girls jumped up and down and hugged each other immediately after the announcement. The Rockets will join Nordonia and Austintown-Fitch.

Streetsboro was led by Ava Clark, a freshman, rolling a 505 series, with a high game of 180. The rest of the team and their high games included: Natalie Southerland 172, Kendall Clark 151, Jordyn Brigham 126, Amy Rein 189 and Alivia Comely 112.

“I am very happy for the girls,” said Matt Stump, Rockets coach. “This is only the second year for girls bowling at Streetsboro and it is the first team to qualify for districts in school history.”

RAVENNA’S JERIAH MILLER

Ravenna missed qualifying to district by only 19 pins, however, senior Jeriah Miller will be representing Ravenna after grabbing the first-individual qualifying spot of five, rolling a 600 series with a high game of 213.

Miller finished seventh overall among the individual bowlers at the tournament.

“We had a tough run of luck today, but Jeriah was able to battle through and score on a difficult shot,” said Kelly Champ, coach of the Ravens. “He kept his head in check and was able to stay ahead of the transition. After winning top individual at the MAC Tournament two weeks ago on the same shot, I knew he would do well at sectionals.

“He had to work for it but made it through as the top qualifier. He has the ability to make it to states if he keeps rolling like he has the last month,” Champ added.

THE SLATE IS ALMOST SET FOR THE DISTRICT

Only the girls sectional at Spins Bowl in Akron remains to be competed today (Feb. 16) and then the teams and individuals are set for the district competition, which will be hosted at Reman Lanes in Lorain.

In addition to the teams that qualified on Sunday, the Field boys, Springfield boys, Rootstown girls and two Rootstown individual boys (Tycho Smolk and Caleb Stevens) will all be seeking a berth at the state tournament as they hone their bowling skills this week preparing for the final step before advancing to Columbus.

It has been a great season for bowling in Portage County and looks to continue to the final tournament of the season.

NORTHEAST OHIO DISTRICT BOWLING QUALIFIERS

Division I — Rebman Recreation, 5300 Oberlin Ave. Lorain. Boys Sunday at 10 a.m.; Girls Feb. 23 at 10 a.m.

Division II — Reman Recreation, 5300 Oberlin Dr. Lorain. Boys: Friday at 10 a.m.; Girls _ Saturday at 10 a.m.