The East Knox boys’ bowling team finished as the Central District runners up, and for the first time in school history, the Bulldogs are competing in the Division II State Tournament. East Knox senior Olivia Nastasi, and KMAC bowler of the year, will also be heading to the state tournament, as well.
“This is a huge accomplishment for these kids, as you know, when I took the program three years ago, there were no girls and only three boys,” said Coach Chip Pozderac.
Pozderac said the team has come a long way. The boys’ team won the KMAC league for the second time, Will Jensen was named KMAC bowler of the year for the 3rd time, all five boys made first team All-KMAC, and Pozderac was named KMAC Boys' Bowling Coach of the Year for the third straight year.
Marion Pleasant took the top spot in the district tournament with 4,469 total points, and East Knox had 4,023 pins in the second slot. They beat out Mechanicsburg by 62 pins. The finish for East Knox was huge, as they missed the state tournament last year by only 40 pins.
Jensen, a senior and the team’s top bowler, had the highest one-game score of 246, and finished with a total of 608. Fellow senior Dylan Reed had the top three game score with 614. Two other seniors, Lane Lashley and Jordan Hull, had scores of 611 and 538 respectively. Freshman Blake Calhoon had a score of 503 for three games.
Pozderac said that while she would like to say that the team is resting leading up to states, they are pumped and raring to go. On Thursday, the team traveled to the tournament site, HP Lanes, to practice on the lanes in preparation.
“I would like to say rest, but Blake threw a couple of dozen games last weekend,” Pozderac said. “We have had the new state oil pattern laid down, and had a couple of practices on it. I had a few of our staff, and my husband Paul, come to practice and bowl mixed doubles with the boys to break up the routine of just bowling. The kids love it, the laughter and bantering is great for morale.”
Coach Pozderac feels great about the team going into the tournament, and sees them having a real shot.
“The boys have it in them to do well, they could really surprise some people,” Pozderac said. “There are 215 teams in Division II for bowling, and of the 15 going to states, we are the third smallest, and do not have our own bowling alley, or a JV program. If we bring our ‘A game’ they will be very competitive. With this much talent they know they can rely on each other, and it is not a one or two man show.”
Pozderac also sees big things for Nastasi, who is heading to states for the first time after finishing third overall at districts. Pozderac feels that she could end up in the top 25, or maybe even higher.
“She has been the rock for the girls all year, and has been so steady throughout the tournaments,” Pozderac said. “This young lady is amazing and has worked so hard for this, I could not be happier for her.”
The Division II state tournament takes place at HP Lanes in Columbus on March 1 and 2.
