AOTW: Lake Orion’s Gladstone knocking them down in fine fashion
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
BATTLE CREEK — Kate Gladstone felt she had a chance to have a very successful state tournament. But the junior’s recent performance at the Division 1 girls bowling state championships even surpassed her own expectations.
A three-year letter-winner from Lake Orion, Gladstone battled her way to the final round of singles play before falling in the state title match to Portage Central’s Tori Ferris, 457-395.
Ferris won the first game, 215-204, and the second match, 242-190, to claim top honors.
“Once I (qualified) for the state finals, I was just hoping to make it into match play,” said Gladstone, who had several other high finishes at tournaments this season.
Gladstone’s performance at M-66 Bowl near Battle Creek was the best in school history. No individual bowler had advanced that far for the Dragons, who began their bowling program eight years ago.
Gladstone, who also made the All-OAA and All-Oakland County teams, finished fifth in the qualifying block with a 1,142 total to advance to match play.
In the Round of 16, she defeated Davison’s Erin Brown 354-315, then followed that up with a narrow, 359-354, victory over Davison’s Brittney Grouix in the quarterfinals to reach the Final Four.
In the semifinals, Gladstone made New Baltimore Anchor Bay’s Jericka Mazei her latest victim, 341-329, but ran out of steam in the final round.
Next year, Gladstone hopes to gain another shot at the crown, but understands it’s never easy.
“I really felt like I was in a grove (at the finals) this year,” she said. “Once I beat a couple of girls, I gained some confidence.”
Gladstone has been one of the Dragons’ top bowlers each of her three seasons and took over the spot as the team’s anchor this season. She stepped up and delivered.
A likely all-stater based on her regular season and state tournament performance — she was also fourth at the regional level in singles play — Gladstone averaged nearly 190 for the season. Gladstone also placed third at the OAA league meet and fourth in the qualifying block at the Oakland County meet among other notable finishes.
But in a sport as finical as bowling, it will take skill and the right groove to get back in position to challenge for a title as a senior.
“First, you have to qualify. That’s half of it,” said Gladstone, not looking past the one-day regional hurdle each year. “Then you have to be red hot. You can’t have a bad game or you don’t move on. Sure, I would love to win it next season. But a lot has to happen.”
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Category: BWW Athlete of the Week, High School, Lake Orion, Prep Wraps
