Tioga County Sports ReportSYRACUSE — For the first time since New York began holding state bowling championships in 1979, each of the Tioga County schools that compete in the sport will have a representative vying for a state title.
The Individual Championship Division, which replaces the Composite Division, includes “all-star” teams comprised of the top bowlers from each section who are not part of a sectional championship team.
The girls tournament will feature Candor’s Calli Marsh, Rachel Hartman from Newark Valley and Tioga’s Kelsey Helmich while Owego’s Evan O’Hara and Connor Kotski, and Waverly’s Derek Johnson will participate in the boys event.
BOYS
Johnson is no stranger to the state tournament, having competed in the Division 2 Team Championship with his Wolverine teammates the previous three seasons.
In 2023, Waverly took fourth and Johnson placed 18th out of 57 competitors who bowled at least one game. He recorded an 1149 six-game series with a high game of 233 and carried a 191.5 average.
The next year, the Wolverines finished as the runner-up. Johnson had a high game of 242 with a six-game total of 1213 and a 202.2 average.
Last season, Waverly was sixth in the 10-team tournament. Johnson rolled his best state result with a 274 high game and 1303 series for six games. He carried a 217.2 average for the day and placed ninth out of 66 competitors.
Johnson brings a 212 average into this year’s tournament. He rolled season highs with a 279 game and a 779 series at the STAC championships as the Wolverines finished second. He shot a 1988 for nine games at the state qualifier, which included three games from the sectional tournament.
O’Hara’s average this season was a 222 with a high game of 278 and high series of 764. He was fourth at the state qualifier with a 1964 series.
Kotski’s average was a 214 and he also had a high game of 278. His high series was a 719. At the state qualifier, he placed second with a nine-game 2138 series.
GIRLS
Helmich brings a 173 average to the tournament with a high game of 232 and a high series of 607. She dominated the state qualifier with a 1759 series.
Marsh has a 178 average. She was the top girl at the IAC tournament, posting a high game of 226 and a high series of 645. She scored a 1556 at the state qualifier.
Hartman’s average is 179 with a 238 high game and 606 high series. She registered a 1550 at the state qualifier.
The individual championships will be held Saturday at AMF Syracuse Lanes with the boys starting at 8 a.m. and the girls beginning at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at https://gofan.co/nysphsaa?activity=Bowling
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IN PHOTO 1: Candor’s Calli Marsh. IN TOP PHOTO: Owego’s Evan O’Hara (L) & Connor Kotski. IN PHOTO 3: NV’s Rachel Hartman. … TCSR STOCK PHOTOS.
