BOWLING: Underdog role fits Oxford just fine in regional win
Troy’s Hulten, Oxford’s Lafnear make singles cut
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — Oxford didn’t mind the underdog role at the 5 Star Lanes regional.
Sneaking up from behind like a prowler more suits the Wildcats, who surprised the depth-laden field to claim a Division 1 regional bowling title.
After the marathon match that featured three Baker games and three individual games from each team’s six competitors concluded, Oxford knocked down 3,652 pins to win their second regional title in three years and first in D-1. Two years ago, the Wildcats won a regional as a Division 2 school.
Meet favorite New Baltimore Anchor Bay, led by a senior-heavy roster, was second at 3,638, and Macomb Dakota claimed third (3,620 in the 14-school field.
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley was fourth (3,508) and Sterling Heights Stevenson (3,397) was fifth to round out the top five.
“I thought that with the way were playing, that we would be in the top five with a chance of qualifying,” admitted JR Lafnear, who started Oxford’s bowling program seven years ago. “I think we surprised some people that we won it. I know how good Anchor Bay is and that there were a few power schools in this regional. But I really felt we had a chance. I guess I don’t mind the underdog role. We didn’t have the pressure.”
Troy Athens was 12th and Troy 14th in the team standings to round out local schools.
The top three teams and the top 10 individuals advance to the Division 1 state finals March 2-3 at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek. Team lay will be Friday and singles play will take place Saturday.
The day belonged to Oxford, which tied for second in the OAA Red Division this season.
Senior Colleen Walters bowled a 631 in the team regional to lead the way for Oxford. Heather Lafnear followed with a 597, freshman Alyssa Hurlbert had a personal-high game of 206 and fellow freshmen Alisa Atyeo posted a 180 among her three games to aid the team title.
“That’s just it. Our seniors did a nice job, as they have all season. But I think it was our depth and some of the younger kids that stepped up and made a difference,” admitted Lafnear. “I tell you what. I think we really surprised Anchor Bay. I think they felt that they were going to win the regional. They had defeated a lot of those east side schools this season and had all of those seniors. They had five senior girls qualifying in singles, but we got them in the team regional. I’m proud of my girls for rising up.”
“I always tell my kids that individuals can get hot and bowl a lot of strikes, but when a team starts to pick up a lot of spares, then that’s when they win,” added Lafnear. “I think that’s what we got at the regional. We had several girls contributing, not just 1-2 girls.”
In girls singles play, Sterling Heights Stevenson’s Lauren Krywy won the regional crown with a 1,207 score, edging Oxford’s Lafnear (1,173), the sole area performer to make the state cut as an individual.
Dakota’s Marissa Solnik was third (1,172), Macomb L’Anse Creuse North’s Alyssa Meada fourth (1,139) and Anchor Bay’s Mariah Faszewski fifth (1,127).
Anchor Bay had five of the top-10 finishers in singles play.
In the boys meet, Utica collected a 4,102 team score to earn the regional trophy. Dakota (4,065) and Sterling Heights Stevenson (4,003) grabbed the other two qualifying berths. Utica Eisenhower was fourth (3,987) and Port Huron fifth (3,969) in the top five.
Oxford was seventh (3,794), Troy ninth (3,654) and Athens 12th (3,393) to lead area schools.
In the singles play, Anchor Bay’s Shawn Bibee emerged the regional champ with a 1,379 score, well ahead of teammate Sean Mariotti (1,351). Utica’s Adam Young (1,299) and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley’s Jeff Pietryka (1,273) followed suit and Troy’s Joshua Hulten was fifth (1,267).
Troy’s Hulten was the sole area representative to advance to the state finals in the boys singles competition.
Boys Bowling
DIVISION 1 REGIONAL
(at 5 Star Lanes, Sterling Heights)
TEAM SCORES — 1. Utica, 4,102; 2. Macomb Dakota, 4065, 3. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 4,003; 4. Utica Eisenhower, 3,987; 5. Port Huron, 3,969; 6. Utica Ford II, , 3,88; 7. Oxford, 3,794; 8. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 37,87; 9. Troy, 3,654; 10. Clinton Township Chipewa Valley, 3638; 11. Romeo, 3,614; 12. Troy Athens, 3,393; 13. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, 3,380; 14. Port Huron Northern, 3,355.
SINGLES — 1. Shawn Bibee (New Baltimore Anchor Bay) 1,379; 2. Sean Mariotti (New Baltimore Anchor Bay) 1,351; 3. Adam Young (Utica) ,299; 4. Jeff Pietryka (Clinton Township Chippewa Valley) 1,273; 5. Joshua Hulten (Troy) 1,267; 6. David Cimini (Utica Eisenhower) 1,258; 7. Tom Kopec (Sterling Heights Stevenson) 1,253; 8. Joe Mazza (Utica) 1,203; 9. Mike Jachcinski (Macomb Dakota) 1,176; 10. Mike Mikaelian (Macomb Dakota) 1,174.
Girls Bowling
DIVISION 1 REGIONAL
(at 5 Star Lanes, Sterling Heights)
TEAM SCORES — 1. Oxford, 3652; 2. New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 3,638; 3. Macomb Dakota, 3,623; 4. Clinton Township Chippewa Valley, 3,508; 5. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 3397; 6. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North, 3,283; 7. Port Huron Northern, 3,120; 8. Utica Ford II, 3,103; 9. Utica Eisenhower, 2,753; 10. Port Huron, 2,735; 11. Romeo, 2,694; 12. Troy Athens, 2,650; 13. Utica, 2,517; 14. Troy, NTS.
SINGLES — 1. Lauren Krywy (Sterling Heights Stevenson) 1,207; 2. Heather Lafnear (Oxford) 1,173; 3. Marissa Solnik (Macomb Dakota) 1,172; 4. Alyssa Meade (Macomb L’Anse Creuse North) 1,139; 5. Mariah Faszewski (New Baltimore Anchor Bay)1,127; 6. Mikalee Bogue (New Baltimore Anchor Bay) 1,121; 7. Kelsey Fader (New Baltimore Anchor Bay) 1,104; 8. Kristen Young (Clinton Township Chippewa Valley) 1,104; 9. Kristin Tyll (New Baltimore Anchor Bay) 1,093; 10. Kayla Gregoire (New Baltimore Anchor Bay) 1,091.
(The top three teams and top 10 singles qualify for the state finals March 3-4.)
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