Tribune Staff Reports
The Seymour High School boys bowling team is heading to the state finals.
A new oil pattern and some tough competition greeted the Owls boys Saturday at Bowl 40 Lanes in Richmond.
After 12 baker games, the Owls’ score was 2,119, just seven pins shy of the final qualifying spot.
They waited until the final announcement of the day to find out if they had qualified for state as the wildcard team.
The Owls received the call they hoped to hear.
“(It was an) afternoon-long roller coaster ride of high and low scores, along with the atmosphere, and the emotions left the team feeling drained, but we’re thankful that they pushed themselves through,” Owls head coach Shannon Kelly said. “It is tough on you emotionally when the team on either side of you keeps catching the breaks and you’re not. The story of the day was keep on pushing, and in the end, they never gave up.
“It was emotional when their name was announced, and it still is for me,” Kelly added. “The seniors of this team, Colton Hayes, Trace Cooper and Andre Sides, have been bowling together since grade school with Trevor Lawson, Luke Lanam and Kenny Kelly following right behind. Trey Morris is the newcomer, and it has been priceless to have him and Kenny Kelly with us through the tournament always ready to go. This will pay huge dividends for next year’s team.”
The Southeastern Indiana Conference had three bowlers in the morning’s singles competition.
Hayes finished in 20th with a 566, and Columbus North’s Matt Watson finished 27th with a 531 in the boys division. Madison’s Katie Helton finished in 15th with a 522 in the girls division.
They did not advance out of the semistate.
Kelly said he is proud of his coaching staff and kids.
“Coach (Toby) Lawson and coach (Robert) Field have pushed these boys for several years to realize their abilities, their chemistry,” Kelly said. “They’ve got to believe in themselves as much as we believe in them. They’ve got to capitalize on the breaks when they come and make their own breaks when they don’t. They need to keep on pushing.”
The Seymour boys will join 11 other teams Saturday at Championship Lanes in Anderson.
“Wildcard was the word of the day, but qualifier is the word of the week, and no matter what happens next Saturday, they will always be champions in our eyes,” Kelly said.
The team competition will begin around 2 p.m.