Lake Orion’s Gladstone picks up state finals berth
FARMINGTON HILLS — Clarkston recently captured its regional championship as well to advance to the Division 1 state finals March 4-5 at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek.
The Wolves collected a 3,520 team score at the regional meet at Drakeshire Lanes in Farmington Hills, beating White Lake Lakeland (3,504) by 16 points and Walled Lake Central (3,489) by 31 pins.
The top three teams and the top 10 singles players from each region advance to the state finals. Lake Orion was fifth in the 13-school field (3,395).
In the singles competition, Clarkston’s Stephanie Lavely was second with 1,168, just behind Farmington Harrison Unified’s Samantha Maxwell (1,169). Erika Nowak was fifth (1,079) for Clarkston and teammate Alice Meyer finished ninth (1,053).
Lake Orion’s Kate Gladstone placed fourth (1,109) to advance as an individual.
Clarkston’s Caitlyn Stebbins was 11th (1,034) to miss by six strokes, while Lake Orion’s Becca Mix was 16th (1,012) and Casey Bartla 22nd (982). Clarkston’s Danielle Hopkins was 25th (974) and Lake Orion’s Alicia Babicz 31st (943) to also finish in the top 40.
In the boys singles competition, Jake Pelc of White Lake Lakeland was victorious at 1,231, just ahead of tom Zahari of Novi Detroit Catholic Central (1,229).
Clarkston’s Nick Cooper qualified for the third straight year, finishing a solid third (1,211). Copper was a state champ in 2009 and a state quarterfinalist last season as a junior
Clarkston’s Zach Farough finished 11th, just missing the cut by four pins. Other local performers in the top-40 included Lake Orion’s Mike Brumitt (14th, 1134), Trevor Mielock (21st, 1,116) and Kevin Yang (22nd, 1,104).
Teamwise, Lake Orion was fourth (3846), missing a state berth by three pins, while Clarkston was seventh (3,714).
Lakeland (3930), Walled Lake Central (3,888) and defending state champ Novi Detroit Catholic Central (3849) took the top three slots to qualify.
Category: Lake Orion, Prep Wraps
