By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal

Two area bowlers reached the semifinal round in their respective classes of Saturday’s MHSAA State Bowling finals.

Fremont’s Sam Brandt and Alex Hansen from Ravenna both reached the final four before being eliminated.

In Division 3, Brandt was defeated by William Holmes of Ferndale University, 417-395.

In Division 4, Hansen was eliminated by Burton Bendle’s Jeffrey Green, 381-334.

The day began with 60 bowlers each rolling six games. The top 16 them moved into the round of 16 match play. The top scorer from the two games moved on to the quarterfinals.

In all, six area bowlers were able to qualify for the round of 16.

In Division 3, Fremont’s Jeremy Pikaart and Brandt moved into the final 16. Pikaart defeated Mark Gibson of Freeland in the round of 16, but was eliminated  in the quarterfinals by Ethan Ayala of Essexville Garber. Brandt defeated Livonia Clarenceville’s Kyle Kissandi to make the final eight.

In Division 4, Western Michigan Christian’s Jacob Bush qualified fourth, Hansen was ninth and Casey Irwin finished 11th. WMC’s Austin Sandin tied for the 16th and final spot, but was eliminated in a tiebreaker game.

Bush won his round of 16 match, but lost in the quarterfinals to Green, 378-366.

Irwin was defeated in the quarterfinal round by Bradley Malmberg of Morley-Stanwood, 378-369.

On the girls side, Ravenna’s Stephanie Danklefson was the lone area bowler to qualify for the round of 16. She lost to Malloree Ambs of Vandercook Lake in the first round of match play, 426-390.

A total of 22 area bowlers were vying for an individual state title when the qualifying rounds began early Saturday morning. The qualifying consisted of six games with the top 16 moving on to the match play rounds.

Each of the final four rounds consisted of two games, head-to-head, until an eventual state champion was crowned.

In the morning qualifying session, 16 bowlers failed to reach the round of 16.

Division 1 boys: 38, Hunter Carlson, Mona Shores: 210-129-183-190-224-181—1,117.
Division 1 girls: 37, Alex Beall, Mona Shores: 145-205-206-198-175-179 – 1,058; 43, Ashley Cory, Mona Shores: 164-158-177-179-179-201—1,058.
Division 2 boys: 59, Josh Kolbeck, Reeths-Puffer: 184-128-113-155-136-181—897. 60, Derek Sirchir, Fruitport: 171-120-142-118-149-149—849.
Division 2 girls: 54, Jessica Ribesky, Muskegon: 164-125-127-125-156-185—882.
Division 3 boys: 37, Alex Lenartowicz, Orchard View: 193-183-99-167-203-199—1,044.
Division 3 girls: 23, Chad Ondrejka, Oakridge: 154-208-159-143-214-158—1,036.
Division 4 boys: 16, tie, Austin Sandin, Western Michigan Christian: 182-158-200-185-246-167—1,138 (Lost on tiebreaker game 238-159); 31, Dalton Dayton, Kent City: 168-225-165-190-177-176—1,101; 44, Trevor Guzman, Ravenna: 229-190-178-173-127-139—1,036; 48, Hunter Nerli, Ravenna: 177-190-131-160-145-181—984; 54, Griffin Danhoe, Ravenna: 162-172-146-124-172-194—970.
Division 4 girls: 26, Hannah Sommers, Ravenna: 152-121-168-172-194-200—1,027; 40, Anna Mabrito, Ravenna: 154-178-190-156-134-170—987; 56, Rita French, Ravenna: 147-151-161-145-135-149—888.