Monday, December 4, 2017

Otter Varsity Bowlers Win State Championship, JV Takes Second

By Dean Paulson - Fergus Falls, MN

The Fergus Falls High School bowlers competed in post-season tournaments on each of the last two weekends. 120 varsity teams started the season in September, and 24 qualified for the State Tournament. On Saturday, Dec 2, at Flaherty's in Arden Hills, the Fergus varsity captured the 2017 MHSB State Championship. 

The team averaged a solid 198, as they moved through the two rounds of pool play to qualify as the number two seed in the eight-team single-elimination bracket. In the bracket, the Otters averaged 228 in defeating Stewartville, Lakeville South, and Hopkins/Eden Prairie. Varsity team members are seniors: Nolan Booth and Jacob Halvorson, juniors: Spencer Jennen and John Runningen, sophomore: Kaitlyn Krensing, and 8th-grader: Keisen Wick.

MHSB JV State Tournament

On Sunday, Dec 3, the MHSB JV State Tournament was held at Concord Lanes in S St Paul. The bar was set high the day before with the varsity earning their championship trophy. The Fergus JV Black team did not disappoint, moving through pool play and qualifying as the number three seed in the championship bracket. JV Black defeated Andover Gold in the first match, and Shakopee in the semi-finals, setting up a very familiar matchup for the title.   In 2015, the Fergus JV team lost to Winona in the championship match, and again in 2016, it was Winona defeating Fergus JV in the semi-finals on their way to another title. This year would be a similar story, as Winona squeaked out the win by just four pins. JV Black averaged just under 180 for the day. Team members are seniors: Ronnie Becker, Levi Danielson, Casey Thom, and Paige Kort, sophomores: Jasmine Benjaminand Zach Kort, and 8th-grader: Dylan Obowa.