By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

It was a day to remember for the Rootstown Rovers’ girls bowling team.

In their first trip to the OHSAA Division II State Championship in Columbus, the Rovers bowled their way to a top-four finish among the toughest teams in Ohio.

“The girls fought all day,” said Andy Day, varsity girls coach.

Following the three games, the Rovers sat just out of the top-eight teams that would move on to the championship round.

The Rovers, though, rallied during the final three Baker games to finish in the top eight and qualified for the championship round.

In the first match, the Rovers were pitted against the one seed, Napoleon, and swept the first three Baker games to move onto the semifinals.

Competing against the eventual runner-up, Mechanicsburg, the Rovers lost three-to-one in the best-of-five Baker series to finish fourth in the state.

Rootstown senior Maggie Frick led the team with a 534 series and 224 high game, placing 27th overall as an individual — the highest individual achievement for the Rovers.

The rest of the team included: Senior Payton Curall (179-508), senior Natalie Hammerschmidt (201-498), senior Elli Campbell (175-496), sophomore Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt (154) and junior Emma Day (153).

“It was definitely a special year,” said Day. “Hopefully, this year is the beginning of continued success.”

GARFIELD’S SIERRA FOY

Freshman Sierra Foy also qualified for the state championship in Columbus at H.P. Lanes.

The individual bowler for the Garfield G-Men finished 40th in the state of the 101 bowlers competing, bowling a high game of 210 on her way to a 521 series.

GIRLS BOWLING SCOREBOARD

OHSAA DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

(At H.P. Lanes, Columbus)

TOP FIVE TEAMS: Springfield Kenton Ridge, Mechanicsburg, St. Mary’s Memorial, Rootstown, Napoleon. (Top five following championship bracket.)

TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS: Kaylee Russell, Carrollton 665; Alexis Manning, Caledonia River Valley 662; Addison Rudibaugh, East Liverpool 630; Carlee Hohenbrink, Napoleon 601; Jillian Justinger, Fairport Harbor Harding 598.

ROOTSTOWN: Maggie Frick 156-224-154 534, Payton Curall170-179-159 508, Natalie Hammerschmidt 157-140-201 498, Elli Campbell 158-175-163 496, Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt 154, Emma Day 153.

GARFIELD (Individual): Sierra Foy 135-210-176 521.