At the district tournament last week, Arvin rolled a three-game 593 series (190-214-189) to claim the fifth and final individual qualifying spot for state. That was a significant jump from her freshman season at district when she bowled 528 to finish 49th overall.
»RELATED: Thursday’s high school roundup
“Lilly has blossomed to be a great bowler,” said Nick Arvin, who owned the Fairfield Pro Shop from 1998-2016.
“Other than just kind of goofing around with it, she took it up competitively going into high school. … She’s got a good future in front of her. I figured the team had a shot of going to state, too.”
Hamilton finished 10th as a team in the 24-team field. The Big Blue missed the cut for state by 138 pins. Not bad for a team with one junior, five sophomores and one freshman.
The girls D-I tournament is Saturday at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl. Also qualifying was Lebanon junior Hannah Rearick, who finished fourth at district with 636 (198-222-216).
The boys D-I tournament runs Friday at Columbus Bowl. Talawanda senior Gaege Feix qualified, making him the Braves’ first state participant in the program’s five-year history. Feix’s 695 series (222-215-258) placed him fifth at district.
“We’re very hopeful he can go all the way,” Talawanda coach Andrew Nieman said. “We think he can. It’s just a matter if the mental game is in check, which every bowler is after. Just executing clean shots and being able to make spares.”
As for Arvin, her goal – well, besides that state title – is a solid top-15 finish and maybe family bragging rights. Her sister, Kaylee, rolled a 506 to finish 48th in her state appearance as a senior in 2017.
“She’s more than capable of doing it. She’s very talented plus she’s goal driven. I think that helps her out a lot,” coach Arvin said of Lilly, who averages 187.5. “She’s focused on wanting to be the best. That’s just her. She always wants to do the best she can do.”
Lebanon’s Rearick is the third girls bowler and the school’s fifth overall to qualify for state. She steadily improved to qualify for Columbus before having her breakout season. As a freshman she finished with a 140.27 average. She improved to 168.5 last year before pushing it to 184.9 this season. The school record is 193.2.
As for Feix, he led the Southwest Ohio Conference with a 214.3 average. He’s also rolled games of 299 and 298 this season.
“I think my best advice is make sure you don’t throw it until you’re ready,” Nieman said of the Columbus Bowl environment that can be crowded and a bit chaotic with the noise and excitement. “Not forgetting to breathe, which is something that can happen pretty easily. Commit to the shot and make it happen.
“I’m extremely proud of what’s happened so far, but I’m stoked to see what happens on Friday.”
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