Maysville bowlers ready to break through

ZANESVILLE – In what has become an annual ritual, Maysville is once again well-represented in the state bowling tournament.

The Panthers’ boys qualified as a team while two members of the girls’ squad advanced. Both teams are coached by Michael Clarke.

The girls will have a shot at the individual title at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl. The boys team will bowl at 10:30 Saturday.

“We had a tough shot pattern at sectionals, but the team found a way to make good shots happen,” Clarke said.

This will be Clarke’s seventh team he has taken to the state tournament. This year’s team is led by seniors Cody Ward and Joey Miller, but a stacked junior class led by Walker Stalnaker, Tanner Stutes and Sky Clark has provided plenty of support.

Sophomore Ryan Clarke and freshman Trey Hodge, members of the Ohio USBC Youth State Tournament state title team with Miller in 2014, give the Panthers a decisive edge in depth against most teams.

The expectations couldn’t be any higher for Clarke and his crew. Last season, the Panthers missed out on the final six spot at the state by two pins, but this is a new year with another shot at being in the top six.

Wesley Stalnaker led the Panthers with 594 series in districts and Ryan Clarke added 551, while the team shot 2,582. It was a bumpy ride for the Panthers, but the recovered and found a way to get into the tournament. Maysville will face the top 15 schools in the state.

Clarke said the conditions may alter game plans and the competition is always tough. The district shot was difficult for many teams, but he feels the tough pattern will help them in the long run.

“This is the ninth tournament — we’ve taken a team every year,” Clarke said. “The kids were scared about being the seventh team that doesn’t make it. I hope they don’t feel that kind of pressure.”

The girls have two state qualifiers in junior Kaleigh Bennett and sophomore Cammie Bunting. Bennett rolled a 527 at the district, while Bunting shot a 508 series to clinch her spot.

“I was surprised when my name was called after we all realized the team hadn’t made it through districts,” Bennett said.

Bennett and Bunting will be part of a field of 16 bowlers. Both contestants will get a three-game series, but only one winner will be left standing.

“The experience in state is so much bigger between sectionals and districts, but I am thankful for this opportunity,” Bunting said.