HIGH SCHOOL

Megann Hardman first Lex bowler to reach state tourney

Jon Spencer
Reporter
Lexington senior Megann Hardman shares a hug with her dad Jim after learning she had qualified for the state bowling tournament.

LEXINGTON – Megann Hardman was down to her last strike.

On the brink of elimination, the Lex senior stared down the pins, threw eight consecutive strikes and advanced to Friday's state bowling tournament in Columbus.

After slumping to a 137 in her second game at the Division II district tournament and then having a couple of open frames early in her final game, Hardman knew there was no margin for error.

Suddenly the strikes came in a flurry. Good thing, because she needed every one of them to post the highest score of her varsity career (231) and lock up the final individual qualifying berth for the state tournament at Wayne Webb's Columbus Bowl.

The top four teams and top four individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to Columbus. Hardman's 196-137-231-564 tied for third-best score among the individuals — earning her a state berth by a scant two pins.

"As soon as I threw the first strike (in the final game), I felt relieved and relaxed, like God was pushing me through it," Hardman said. "I wanted to show the team that I worked hard to get where I'm at."

Even though she is the first state qualifier in the six-year history of Lex's program and led the girls team to its first district appearance and first winning record this season (13-8), Hardman doesn't think of herself as a pioneer.

"My sophomore year I was the first female to ever go to district and now I've been to district the last three years," she said. "Even though I'm shocked I made it to state, I'm trying to treat this like a regular tournament so that I don't psyche myself out."

Because of the way she bounced back in the final game at district, Hardman tied for the fourth-best overall set among the 16 individual state qualifiers and had the third-highest game in the state behind individual qualifer Hannah McGrew of Johnstown Greeneview (245) and Danika Hicky of team qualifier Bryan (237).

Also qualifying for state from north central Ohio were Northmor's Andrew Yarnell (190-167-194-551) and Cardington's Taylor Diamond (178-153-177-508). The boys compete Saturday, with the Division I tournament staged next week at the same site.

"I've always looked out for my teammates, but my dad (Jim, an assistant coach) told me between (the second and third) games that between games help your teammates, but once you're in the game, worry about your game," Hardman said. "After the second game, things just clicked. He said that if I really wanted it, I'd have to put it all out there for the final game."

Mary and Roger Long started Lex's program when their sons, Brian and Aaron, found out during league bowling on Saturday morning that other schools had teams. Mary, a Lexington teacher, drew up a proposal and roped her husband into helping.

"She showed up at my La-Z-Boy and said, 'All we need is a coach,'" she said. "I don't know a whole lot about the sport even though I bowled in leagues quite a few years ago (carrying a 170 average), but I looked at it as a good way to spend time with my two boys."

Coaches Bob Black of Port Clinton and Bob Dickman of Sandusky became mentors to Long, who has also benefited from having Jim Hardman and Keith Oliver as assistants. OIiver came aboard this season as the technical advisor.

"They're all fathers to me," Megann said of the Lex staff. "Roger is like my other dad and even though Keith is new I feel like I've known him for years. My dad helps me with the mental part. He's 'Big Daddy' to all of us. They're all very supportive ... even when I mess up."

That's not very often. Megann holds the vast majority of team records on the girls' side, including the three highest season averages and many of the high games. She's had 11 career 200 games in official matches, the 231 being her fifth this season.

Only teammate Caitlyn Ryan has thrown a higher score. Ryan had a 235 last year as a freshman.

Hardman started bowling when she was six, living in Minnesota. When she moved here after fifth grade she joined a Saturday morning league at Lex Lanes, which is the home house for the high school matches.

"Ever since that was totally the one thing I wanted to do," she said. "I think it was being around people who enjoyed the same thing. It's the competitiveness in me. I'm so competitive with my brothers (promising wrestlers Mason, 14, and Daniel, 7). Just the smallest thing, we have to make it competitive.

"Trying to (top) myself makes me the happiest person alive."

There aren't a lot of high school teams in north central Ohio — Lex's area rivals being Willard, Crestline and Northmor. So the school travels all over the state for competition. The boys were 14-9 and also qualified for district after finishing last at the 2014 sectional.

From a total of seven boys and girls the first year, Long has seen the program grow to 10 boys and 10 girls, enabling him to have varsity and junior varsity teams.

"We had to cut 12 kids to get to 20 this year, so the program has really exploded," Long said. "I do things a little differently. I make the kids qualify for varsity every couple of weeks. That scares them more than bowling in the matches."

Maybe that's why Hardman had nerves of steel when the odds seemed against her at district.

"Her first year (at district) was rough, last year she got pretty close (to qualifying for state) and this year she got over the hump," Long said. "I think she appreciates it more than someone who goes to state their first year."

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