Warren Mott Boys and Girls Varsity Come up Short in Regional Qualifying Event

This past weekend marked the inaugural Michigan High School Athletic Association Bowling Regional Tournament. Teams from all over Macomb and Oakland county converged on Five Star Lanes in Sterling Heights for two days of competition to determine who would advance to the state finals next weekend at Sunnybrook Lanes.

This is what the teams had all worked towards for the whole season and they were confident going into the events. In singles competition the top seven boys and girls would advance to the state finals based on a four game total score. Ryan Van Hecke of Ford II dominated the field as he averaged 271 for his four game set and won the regional by shooting a marvelous 1085 series. The boys from Warren Mott did not fair as well as Ryan did however as the highest finisher for the Marauders was senior Richard Kruk who rolled a 846 series good for tenth place and senior team captain Paul Narlock shot a 840 series to finish twelfth.

On the girl's side the Lady Marauders did not fair any better than the boy's did. Vanessa Treece of Ford II made it a Ford sweep as she edged out Felicia Goll of Harper Woods Regina by one pin to take the singles title. Vanessa shot a nice 234 game in her fourth game to win but Felicia had the best score of the day as she shot the only perfect 300 game of the tournament. The Warren Mott girls really tried hard but found the slick lane conditions a problem in the beginning but, as the day wore on the girls made a real valiant try to get back into the hunt but fell short. Robin Narlock led the Lady Marauders with a 680 total, despite an opening 139 game, good for 21st place while Nikki Wilczek ended up in 26th place with a nice 661 series, despite a 121 game to start with.

The team event was even more exciting as both the girls and boys battled all day long to capture one of the top four spots to qualify for the state competition next weekend. The boy's were very much in the hunt until the very last game of the tournament when they ran into some split and spare problems and Warren DeLasalle shot their best game of the day that game to pass Warren Mott for the fourth and final qualifying position. The Marauders had to settle for a fifth place finish and the alternate position for the state finals. Should one of the teams from our region not be able to bowl next weekend, Warren Mott would be the team that would jump into the title hunt.

The girls were also fighting for one of the top four spots all day. After the opening round of Baker games they had solidified themselves in fifth place but only a few pins out of a qualifying position. After a good opening team game of 899, the ladies slumped a little the next two games to shoot 830 and 833. Meanwhile, last years state champions from L'Anse Cruese North were beginning to make their move. After a less than stellar start in the baker games they turned up the heat the final two team games to shoot 935 and 920 to jump into the fourth and final qualifying spot. The Lady Marauders slipped to sixth place in the tournament and will have to watch the finals from the sidelines as will the boys this year.

Even though the teams did not qualify for the state competition, there were some very good performances during the event. Eric Gulecki shot a season high 677 series for the boys and team captain Paul Narlock contributed a 626 series. The girls also had a fine performance from their team captain Jessica Tyler who shot a 611 series while senior Jessica "Luda" Ludeman, who averaged 142 during the season, shot a very nice 546 series. Robin Narlock contributed a 530 series and Nikki Wilczek, who was still feeling the effects of being sick during the week, shot 361 for her two game stint.

Although we will not be represented at the state finals this year for the first time in three years, these teams all worked very hard all season. They shook off the effects of some team rebuilding on both sides along with a coaching change and performed very well as a team. These athletes all cheered each other on and picked each other up when needed and the future looks very bright for these bowlers. I know this is not the way any of us wanted the season to end but it gives a new challenge to work towards for next season.

We will be saying good bye to a number of our bowlers this season due to graduation, seven in all. Their contribution has left its mark on the team for years to come and being around them has been a personal pleasure for me. Thank you to all our seniors for their leadership, determination and drive this year best of luck to all of you as you move on to your college years. Best of luck to Paul Narlock, Richard Kruk, Kris Smith, Keven Beasley, Jessica Ludeman, Jessica Biernacki and Erika Wagner.

I am also writing my final article with this review as I will be retiring from coaching at Warren Mott to take on new responsibilities in Grand Rapids. I have enjoyed the three years here at Warren Mott and will always remember fondly the people I have come to know and the student athletes who worked so hard to bring something home to the school they bowl for. We have enjoyed much success over the past few years and are still regarded as a top notch program in the state of Michigan and I know the program is in good hands with Coach Kovach at the helm. Good luck to all of you and I wish you all the best for the future in all you may do.