June 17, 2024

Newton's Price qualifies for 2A state bowling tournament

By Jocelyn Sheets

Abby Price, Newton High junior, finished third at Tuesday's Class 2A district tournament in Ottumwa and her 425 score earned her a spot in next week's 2A state tournament. The Newton girls finished second at district and the Cardinal boys were fourth. (Jocelyn Sheets)

OTTUMWA — Newton High junior Abby Price walked out of Ottumwa’s Champion Bowl knowing there was a very good chance she had just qualified for her first Iowa Class 2A state bowling tournament. Later on Tuesday evening, Price was awarded an at-large selection to next Tuesday state meet.

Price had finished third individually with a 425 series at the 2A district tournament to two Keokuk bowlers. Keokuk posted the highest team score in the state — 3,085 — for Class 2A teams led by Jadyan Messenger’s district title score of 446 and Paige Worrell’s 429.

The Cardinal girls were second at district with a 2,465. Newton’s boys placed fourth in their division with a 2,740 pin count. Ottumwa was the boys’ district champion, erasing a 20-pin deficit behind Keokuk heading into the Baker Games, and won 3,318-3,130.

Keokuk’s Reese Krebill rolled a 467 series to win the district individual boys’ title and Oskaloosa’s Are Smith had a 454 for second. Newton senior Carter VanderSchel, who qualified for the 2A state meet last year, was eighth with a. 431 (174-250).

Price had games of 186 and 239 to lead the Newton girls with junior Jenna Miller finishing with a 307 (139-168). Junior Sydni Followill bowled a 296 on games of 126 and 170. Miller finished 13th at district and Followill was 15th.

Seniors Ashley Loehr and Gabby Pickerell bowled their final games for Newton. Loehr had a 294 (118-176) and Pickerell had a 262 (134-128). Freshman Bailey Hansen had a 225 (104-121). The Cardinal girls’ Baker Games scores were 166, 233, 177, 168 and 137.

Senior Eli Ingle rolled a 372 (154-218) in his final series for the Cardinals. Juniors Thomas Hodnett and Ben Zeien had a 352 (163-189) and 316 (149-167), respectively.

Sophomore Evan Benac finished with a 308 (157-151). Nate Keith, a senior, rolled a 297 on games of 156-141 for his final series for Newton. The Cardinal boys’ Baker Games scores were 229, 194, 182, 147 and 216.

Price will compete in the Class 2A state tournament on Feb. 25. The combined tournament for 2A girls and boys begins a t 10 a.m. at Cadillac XBC in Waterloo. The Class 1A tournament is on Feb. 24 and Class 3A is on Feb. 26.

All spectators kindergarten and older must purchase a ticket. Children not yet in school will NOT require a ticket. Cost is $10 per session.

Doors will open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled start each day for fans that purchase tickets online in advance. Doors will open 60 minutes prior to the scheduled start each day for fans wishing to purchase tickets on-site. Wristbands will be distributed at the door as fans enter to facilitate re-entry.