THE HIGH School bowling season is ready to roll into high gear for the 2021-22 season. Pictured are some area bowlers. From left, are Buckeye Local’s Chase Eikleberry and Kaden Bednarek; Martins Ferry’s Francis Toohey and Josie Hancock; and St. John Central Academy’s Codey Scott and Lauren Moran.

The 2021-22 high school bowling season has already started at several establishments across the Ohio Valley.

The sport has been progressively growing in numbers with nearly two dozen Ohio Valley Athletic Conference schools fielding teams. Of that number, 11 of them are from either Belmont, Harrison or Monroe counties.

Barnesville, Bridgeport, Buckeye Local, Martins Ferry, St. Clairsville, St. John Central Academy and Union Local use St. Clair Lanes as their home lanes. Harrison Central uses JR Lanes in New Athens, JD Lanes in Cadiz and Valie Lanes in Jewett as its home lanes, while Monroe Central and River use Russell Family Bowling Center in Woodsfield at their home lanes.

A capsule of each school follows:

BOYS

Barnesville

The Shamrocks will rely on a pair of seniors and a junior this season for head coach Chad Hall.

Upperclassmen Arick Clark and Braydon Daugherty will be counted on for big performances as well as leadership. Clark has lettered three years so far, with Daugherty seeking a second. Hall is a two-year vet.

“Arick is a solid bowler and Braydon continues to improve into one of our best bowlers,” Hall said. “Matthew is expected to anchor our team, his work ethic is unquestionable.”

The roster is rounded out by senior Kyden Anderson; juniors Brock Burkhart, Kavin Carpenter, Hayden Jurco, Cooper Bell and Asher Baum; and sophomores Garrett Eddy and Logan Johnston.

“Brock, Kavin, and Logan will help carry the load throughout the season,” Coach Hall added. “The boys are a little more inexperienced than the girls but we still expect to have a successful season like last year.”

Beallsville

The youth movement is on for the Blue Devils as three freshmen dot the five-player roster. They are Joey Osborne, Will Travis and Anthony Dunn. Junior Xavier Liebreth is a returning letterwinner. Sophomore Chandler Osborne completes the roster.

“We have three freshmen, a first-year sophomore and only one returning bowler, but we look for some improvements as the season progresses and then better yet next year with their experience,” head coach Walt Russell said.

Bridgeport

Despite losing six seniors to graduation, head coach Ron Taylor is optimistic about the upcoming season.

The return three seniors whom lettered last winter in Gabe Donahue, Caleb Funkhouser and Kenneth Newland.

Seniors Damian Augenstein and Brody Grieve; junior Austin Gannoe; sophomores Damon Burgess, Carsen Kinsey and Michael McKeen; and freshmen Gabe Wheaton and John Wheaton round out the Bulldogs roster.

“As you can see from our roster we are very young. We lost six senior starters from last year. This year we only have a few returning starters,” Taylor said. “Our hopes this year are to grow and get better each practice and each game.

“With all teams in the EOBL getting hit hard with graduated players last year, I believe the league is wide open for someone to step up and become the team to beat,” he added. “As a coach I am hoping to see our Bulldogs step up to that position. We have some nice looking young first year talent wanting to make a name for themselves.”

Buckeye Local

The Panthers return four lettermen from a season ago, while only losing C.J. Adams to graduation.

Headling the returnees are seniors Jimmy Hornyak and Xavier Lascano and juniors Chase Eikleberry and Jakob Burris.

Other seniors are Erik bailey and Jacob Terrill. Juniors include Jeremy Anspach and Jacob Watt, while Noah Jock is the lone sophomore. Freshmen are Robert Carpenter, Josh Firm, Braden Russell and LeLand Sholak.

“The boys team has several varsity bowlers returning from last season,” veteran head coach Jared Call, in his 13th season in that position and 15th overall with the program, said. “We were 5-7 last year and look to improve and use last year’s experience to have a winning season this year.”

Harrison Central

The Huskies, according to head coach Bobbi Lee Parkinson, are in the midst of a rebuilding season with only one returning letterman, that being senior Davis Chrisman.

“The team is in a rebuilding season, with two freshman, a sophomore and two seniors in the starting 5,” she explained. “I expect them to take a few lumps along the way during the season, as it is a learning year, but they will persevere with determination and give it their all. They have improved each day on the lanes, and that is all I expect from them.”

Seniors Corey Hayes, Caden Anthony and Michael McMahon; junior Holden Anthony; sophomores Chad Viers, John Gray, Peyton Roski, Michael White and Gavin Ray; along with freshmen Drew Culbertson, Kobie Hennis, Aiden Hayes, Kyle Bake and Nick Jacobs complete the team.

Martins Ferry

Depth will be no problem for second-year Purple Rider head coach Greg Steele.

“We have a total of 12 boys and we have improved immensely as individuals and as a team from our first practice,” he said. “I have high expectations for us this year as we have four returning letterwinners from last season and a fifth who lettered in a previous year, but didn’t participate last season.”

They are seniors Francis Toohey and Jackson Romshak; junior Blake Wines and sophomore Walker Romshak. Senior Chase Kuntz was the fifth member Steel was referring to. Toohey and Jackson Romshak are three-year vets. Wines has two letters.

“We will be led by Francis and Jackson as each had great seasons last year and both worked hard since then to improve their game,” Steele said. “Overall, I truly feel that we have a lot of depth and I wouldn’t be surprised to have our lineup change over the course of the season as our younger guys gain more experience.”

Completing the roster are sophomores Carter Bennett, Hayden Ring and Carmine Stroman; and freshmen Alex Higgs, Jacob Lasure, Ethan Meadows and Cameron Murphy.

Monroe Central

The Seminoles have a young mixture of talent for head coach Walt Russell.

Leading the group of five are returning senior lettermen Dustin Landefield and Luke Monahan. They are joined by classmate Devyn Harris who is a first-time bowler. Freshmen James Williams and Owen Wechbacker complete the team.

“Our freshmen are catching on fairly quick to the sport and I look for some major improvements as the season progresses and then better yet next year with their experience,” Russell noted.

River

The Pilots lost eight players from last season in Jake Rose, Micheal Johnson, Carlie Lee, Chris Baker, Tyson Randall, Jagger Knight, Colin Lamp and Andrew Murphy.

They have six bowlers this season, including junior two-year letterman Kendall Cross who averaged 163 last year.

“We’re expecting him to lead the team,” head coach Arlene Cross said.

Seniors comprise the remainder of the roster and include Heather Morgan, Isaiah Pettry, Joey Cook, Lainey Brandon and Steven Shockley.

“After losing so many bowlers from last year, we are excited to have the newcomers join our team,” she said. “Several of them have never bowled before, so we will keep trying to improve each match. I’m looking forward to having an enjoyable season.”

St. Clairsville

The Red Devils will rely on five returning lettermen, led by senior Shane Jackson who has earned three so far.

“Shane is one of the best kids I’ve ever known. He’s athletic, kind, and a good team player,” head coach Courtney Reinbold said. “It’ll be sad to see him go.”

Also back are junior two-year letterman Chas Anderson. Senior Michael Phillips lettered last year, as did junior Adam Wakulchik.

Sophomore Alex Brocklehurst lettered as a freshman.

“Chas has been bowling for ages, and it shows. He is always willing to help the others learn,” Reinbold said. “He’s a lot of fun.

“I wish I could’ve had four years with him. I’m glad to have had him for two,” the coach said. “He spends a lot of extra time at the lanes.

“Adam is learning a lot. He is a strong kid,” the coach continued. “He is learning to focus that into accuracy.

“Alex is our only lefty. It’s hard to learn when everything is backwards, but he comes back ready every day to learn.”

Senior Izik Kyer, a first-year bowler, rounds out the roster.

St. John Central Academy

The Irish will compete as a boys team during the regular season.

They are led by junior Codey Scott and sophomore Lauren Moran, both of whom lettered last winter.

Joing them are junior Austin Jarrett; sophomore Nevada Lucas and freshman Oliver Jackson

Head coach is Gary Holubeck. He is assisted by Josh Strope.

Union Local

Graduation hit the Jets hard as five members picked up diplomas last May, leaving them with only one returning junior letterman in Josh Neidert.

“We only return two bowlers from a year ago and only one with varsity experience. We lost 5 members to graduation that had four district tournament appearances under their belts,” head coach Doug Stephens said of Bryan Neidert, Nathan Brown, Chad Barbe, Dylan Usenik and Colton Luyster.

“We are excited about having Josh back for his senior campaign and look for him to be a stalwart anchoring our lineup,” the coach said. “Josh will provide leadership as well as experience to our team.”

Stephens is also excited about juniors Gage Thomas and Cole Harding.

“Gage is a first-year bowler that we are really excited to see get his season started,” the coach said. “He worked this off-season to improve his game.

“Cole is the second returning member of our team from a year ago that has really stepped up this preseason and is rounding into a solid competitor and should contribute at the varsity level,” he added.

According to Stephens, sophomores Evan White and Johnny Sabinski are newcomers to our program who “are just getting their feet wet when it comes to bowling but they are picking it up fast and we look for them to be solid contributors at the varsity level this season.”

Mason Porter is a freshman.

“We are really excited to see him grow throughout the season. He’s been bowling for awhile now and with his older sister on the team we have got to see him bowl over the years. We are glad he finally gets to suit up for us.”

Senior Connor Luyster; juniors Mark Bell, Brayden Jeffers, Trey Jeffers and Matt Schubert; sophomores Cole Bell and Josh Jackson; and freshman Pierce Luyster round out the boys team and will compete for time this year.

GIRLS

Barnesville

Three-year letterwinners Tessa Johnston and Hailey Stewart lead the Shamrocks. Other seniors are Zoe Showalter and Calista Crick.

Juniors are Breanna Flood, Julie Johnson, Regan Campbell, Olivia Stephens and Ciara Lucas, with Flood, Johnson and Campbell seeking their third letters.

Sophomores include Taylor Crooks and Clarissa Fitch, with freshmen Suzanne Carpenter, Kennadi Dodd, Cheyenne Brudzinski and Hayley Haffer completing the roster.

“Tessa and Hailey will anchor a solid team, along with Breanna, Julie, and Regan,” head coach Chad Hall said. “With this much experience we are hoping for another successful season.”

Bridgeport

The Bulldogs have three returning letterwinners in juniors Emma Pittner and Aries Williams, along with sophomore Rebecca Bowers.

The remainder of the roster includes senior Juliaina Nelson and sophomores Gabrielle Anderson, Abby Howell, Maddie Matusik and Ella Molter.

“As you can see from our roster we are very young,” head coach Ron Taylor stressed. “As a Coach I am just glad to see us able to put this COVID behind us and be able to compete head to head.”

Buckeye Local

The Panthers are seeking a third consecutive successful season.

Returning letterwinners Brooke Shaffer and Kaden Bednarek will lead that charge. Both are seniors, as is Rylie White.

“The girls lost a lot of talent to graduation. We were 8-2 last year and were OVAC runnersup, while finishing 12-3 the year before,” head coach Jared Call said. “This year we will be led by Brooke who is coming off a strong junior season. Last year she made the All-OVAC Team and earned first team All-EOBL honors.

“This girls team is young and has a lot of potential. It will be exciting to watch them progress as the season goes on,” Call added.

Juniors Lizzie Frank and Jackie Richardson, along with sophomores Haylee Brown, Cassie Burkhead, Megan Burrier, Kiarra Eastham, Abigail Meeker, Maggie Sabo and Jasmine Yohe; and freshmen Tina Cline-Scott, Addie Erwin and Emma McHugh round out the roster.

Harrison Central

Things are looking up for the Huskies as a lot of experience returns for head coach Bobbi Lee Parkinson.

“The team has five retuning letterwinners from last season,” she said. “They will represent the Huskies very well during regular season and tournament play. They are pretty solid from our leadoff to our anchor. They have practiced hard to improve since our first practice.”

Senior Aleyna Runevitch will anchor the team once again, and help her team with some great scores, according to the coach.

Juniors are Cami Basich, Lauren Best, Karlea Thompson, Cameron Aughinbaugh, Erica Emhoff, Hannah Ragusa, Kendra Dewees; and sophomores are Alexis Lishick and Grace Cain. Freshmen are McKeehan Manson, Angelina Utter and Hayley Willis.

Runevitch, Basich, Best and Lishick the other returning letterwinners.

Martins Ferry

The numbers are up for the Purple Riders this season as they only had two participants last winter, something that has head coach Greg Steele smiling.

“I’m excited for the girls this year as we will have a full squad as we only had two girls compete last season. Though we are very young, as 4 of our 6 girls are freshmen, I am very confident that we will be able to compete with most of the schools on our schedule,” Steele said. “Thus far, I couldn’t ask for a better group as they have been working hard to improve their games. Hopefully we will be able to meet most of our individual and team goals by the end of the season.

The team includes junior Josie Hancock; sophomore Gwen Cable; and freshmen Ryleigh Dominguez, Rihanna Fleming, Julia Hancock and Madison Oberle.

Monroe Central

Youth will also be on the side of the Seminoles and head coach Walt Russell.

Returning senior letterwinner Dayna Potter is joined by classmate Karma Calhoun; sophomore Shyann Baker; and freshmen Radisson Norman and Addason Tomlin. Calhoun is a first-year bowler and Baker is competing at the high school level for the first time.

“One of our freshman and our sophomore are both veteran youth bowlers and I’m expecting great things from them, as well as my experienced senior,” Russell said. “My inexperienced senior and my new freshman bowlers are catching on very well to the sport and I look for some major improvements as the season progresses.”

St. Clairsville

The Red Devils will be led by senior veterans Amelia Woollard and Sabrina Frazier. They both have three letters.

“Amelia is constantly asking for how she can improve. She wants feedback,” head coach Courtney Reinbold said. “Sabrina is my skirt wearer. She’s got natural talent. It’s been fun to watch her knowledge catch up to what her body just knows how to do.”

Reinbold also has a trio of two-year letterwinners in seniors Emily Mozena, Emma Poe and Whitney Fulton.

“Emily is trying something relatively new. She is one of the few girls I’ve seen bowling two-handed,” Reinbold noted. “She’s an athletic kid and is working really hard to make it work. It’s a learning curve.

“Emma and Whitney bring a lot of enthusiasm.”

The roster is rounded out with junior Juliana Unterzuber and freshmen Cadence Bruce, Isabella Yeager and Brooklyn Unterzuber.

Union Local

Experience is on the Jets side with three returning starters and four contributors on the roster.

“We are really excited to see what this group can do,” head coach Doug Stephens said. “We have a good mixture of experience and youth with this group.”

Seniors Alexis Stewart and Kaylee Turner and junior Chloe Porter will be the team leaders, according to the coach.

“Alexis is a former OVAC champion that has really improved this off-season and is ready to take the next step in becoming a leader for our team,” Stephens said.

“Kaylee is back after a solid junior campaign in which she earned a starting spot and really found her game.

“Chloe is a two-year letterwinner who was solid for us last season. She takes a step forward this year and becomes one of our leaders and a solid competitor that we can count on when we need a big game.”

Sophomores Kelsy Usenik, Breanna Barbe and Karlie Loos will also be counted upon.

“Kelsey really hit her stride late last season and earned herself a spot at the varsity table,” Stephens noted. “We are excited as to what she can do moving forward.

“We are really excited to have Breanna out this season. Her brother was on the team for the past several years so I got to see her bowl some and was disappointed when she didn’t come out last season. Persistence pays off though as she is in the lineup this season and has been really exciting to watch so far this preseason.

“Karlie has improved tremendously from day one of practice until now and I only look for that improvement to continue throughout the season.”

Sophomores Riley Gregor and Sydney McFarland, along with freshmen Josephine Valkovic, Kylee Leach, Dani Stitt, Isabella Kubisch and Emma Bohus round out the girls squad and will all compete for time on the lanes this season.