West Michigan Conference bowling: Teams, individuals compete at 2023 state finals

Several individuals and three teams from the West Michigan Conference competed in the MHSAA bowling state finals Friday and Saturday (March 3-4) at various locations.

Here is a roundup of the action:

TEAM TOURNAMENTS

In each division, the top eight teams advance from team qualifying blocks into bracket play.

In the Division 3 bowling state finals at JAX60 in Jackson, Orchard View’s boys team finished 13^th in the qualifying block with a total pinfall of 2968. Lansing Catholic defeated Ogemaw Heights in the finals match for capture the state championship.

In the Division 4 bowling state finals at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek, Ravenna’s boys team missed bracket play by one spot. The Bulldogs totaled 2968. Grass Lake defeated New Lothrop in the championship match to earn the state title.

Also in Division 4 competition, Ravenna’s girls team placed ninth (2519) and Holton 12^th (2365) in the team qualifying block. Taylor Trillium Academy beat Beaverton in the finals match to bring home the state championship.

INDIVIDUAL TOURNAMENTS

In each division, the top 16 individuals advance from singles qualifying blocks into bracket play.

In Division 3 action at JAX60 in Jackson, Orchard View’s Korbin TenBrink tied for 11^th in the singles qualifying block with a total of 1195. He advanced to bracket play and lost in the first round to Cheboygan’s Cole Swanberg, 371-297. In the finals, Stockbridge’s Mason Keene defeated Gladwin’s Harvey Zelt, 407-353.

On the girls side for Division 3 at JAX60, Oakridge’s Kira Twining finished fourth in the singles qualifying block with 1138 pins. In the first round of bracket play, Twining lost to Kent City’s Madi Brake, 339-335. In the finals, Onsted’s Sydney Nichols defeated Coloma’s Savannah Hamilton, 375-370. Whitehall’s Ava Garcia placed 45^th (904 pins).

In Division 4 competition at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek, nobody from the West Michigan Conference qualified for bracket play. Holton’s Aiden Moore just missed qualifying for bracket play, finishing 17^th with a score of 1055. Ravenna’s Dylan Gordon was 21^st (1033), while Holton’s Bo Larabee placed 45^th (961). In the finals, Saginaw Nouvel’s Alex McCarthy beat Allen Park Cabrini’s Bryce Cadaret, 433-393.

On the girls side for Division 4 at M-66 Bowl, Ravenna’s Mae Mabrito and Emma Herremans placed 49^th (820) and 51^st (815), respectively. Holton’s Kenidie Shank was 55^th (779), while teammates Karley Plekes and Lillian Mullins were 56^th (763) and 60^th (741), respectively. In the finals match, Gobles’ Morgan Brunner beat Traverse City Christian’s Brooke Smith, 415-303.