Hartman, Panther girls bowling team takes season opener

Creston’s girls bowling team began its season looking to replace a pair of four-year starters in Charlie Parcher and Madison Hance.

The Panthers may have found suitable leaders who can step up and help lead the Panthers.

Senior Livi Hartman gave the Panthers a strong effort as they rolled their way to a 2,050-1,646 win over Norwalk at Pine Valley Bowling Center.

Hartman bowled a team-best series of 356. Her score was only three pins off the best performance of the day overall by either a girl or a boy. The best score was thrown by Norwalk’s Caleb Bangs, who scored a 359.

Behind Hartman’s efforts, the Panthers started their season off the right way.

“We needed someone to step up and be a leader,” said assistant coach Jerry Hartman. “Livi did a really nice job taking up that leadership role.”

Hartman was consistent in her two-series game in the Bakers.

“(Head coach) Ron (Pendegraft) has been working with her on a daily basis, making sure we get her line put down, making minor adjustments she needs to do. It was a really good first outing for her.”

Laura Weis was second on the team with a 270 singles series.

Weis came in with a minimal amount of varsity experience.

“For her to come out and roll as consistent as she did was very encouraging,” Hartman said. “She hit the line, hit a mark. She did a good job coming back and picking up spares. She had a really nice game.”

The Panthers led 1,543-1,248 after singles and extended that margin in the Baker games.

Saturday’s efforts showcased what the Panthers have been working on in practice can show in the meets.

“It says a lot about the kids,” Hartman said. “They’re taking practice real serious. They’re

trying to get better every day. It comes through on game day.”

On the boys side, Creston fell 2,150-1,967.

Creston was rallying in the Baker games, having entered them trailing 1,622-1,284.

“In the Bakers, we really started coming on,” Hartman said. “That was pretty cool to see. It tells me we’re better than what we showed in individual frames.”

The Panthers picked off 100 pins in the first two games of Bakers.

“I really commend them,” Hartman said. “They didn’t give up. They fought hard towards the end.”

Tay Wright led the Panthers with a 293 two-game individual series. Dylan Linch was second with a 293. Zac Hague had a 285.

“Tay did a nice job throughout the day,” Hartman said. “Dylan Linch had a good series. He was right up there in the top 5. Zach Hague kind of struggled. He struggled to find that line. Normally he’s 30-40 pins higher than what he did. All three of those guys did pretty well.”

The difference was Norwalk picking up their spares more often to Creston, Hartman noted.

“We preach it every day,” Hartman said. “Get strikes when you can and when don’t, pick up spares. You look at the top performers and that’s what they did.”

UP NEXT — Creston’s girls and boys are at Red Oak Tuesday.

“We’ll definitely have to be at the top of our game,” Hartman said. “Red Oak throws really well. They’re a perennial state bowling team. We’ll have to do well.”

Girls — Creston 2,050, Norwalk 1,646

Creston individual scores — Jordan Swedlund — 101, 83, 184; Sophie Schuler — 105, 130, 235; Laura Weis — 122, 148, 270; Casey Batten — 124, 122, 246; Kim Orr — 150, 102, 252; Livi Hartman — 172, 184, 356. Team — 1,543

Baker scores — 107, 204, 147, 104, 129 — 691.

Boys — Norwalk 2,150, Creston 1,967

Creston scores — Jonathan Seals — 114, 85, 199; Evan Taylor — 99, 111, 210; Tay Wright — 134, 163, 297; Dylan Linch — 148, 145, 293; Zac Hague — 147, 138, 285.

Baker scores — 148, 161, 144, 118, 112.