Marion area Girls Bowling Overview: Who's going to be good in 2022-23?

MARION — When it comes to girls bowling in the Marion area, the crystal ball gets cloudy.

How will the teams click? Who will emerge as big-time scorers? Are any of them capable of winning championships and making long tournament runs?

It's all to be determined, but it's hard to foresee how it shakes out in early December.

River Valley has a former state qualifier in junior Alexis Manning and six others with varsity experience, but they are banking on making vast improvement as the season wears on.

"Our entire varsity team has returned and ready to battle," RV coach Cheryl Manning said. "We also have a full team roster for the JV team. We are still continuing to improve our skills so that we can be competitive with the other teams in the conference."

She wants to see Manning, senior Madisyn Schwartz, senior Kylie Pierce, senior Cassandra Mason, junior Emma Crease, sophomore Laurie Ann Cox and sophomore Amyah Lavauve increase their production.

"Our expectations are to improve our averages approximately 40 pins per bowler and win the MOAC as well as advance to the state finals," Manning said.

Elgin will be a team to watch in 2022-23. Junior Bethany Strong, who rolled a 299 game last year and nearly made the Division II state field, will lead the Comets. Elgin also brings back senior Trinitie White and sophomores Lexy Davenport and Bree Fox. They won 17 games last year and should be improved this season.

Marion Harding will be intriguing this year after going 9-8 overall, 6-4 in the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference and finishing second at the league tournament.

"I know we are so young, but we are getting better every day we are out there on the lanes," Marion Harding coach Corey Chatman said.

Harding senior Kenzi Vaught won last year's MOAC tourney, while junior Hannah Mullennix was an all-league performer. Everyone else is a call-up from last year's JV team.

"The strength of this girls bowling team is that willingness to listen and learn. We have a number of returners to this year's team. Also the senior leadership of Kenzi Vaught, these young ladies are really taking her lead," Chatman said.

Pleasant went 6-4 in the MOAC a year ago and brings back senior Emily Seckel, junior Ashlyn Peters and junior Isabel Romero. However, with only six on the roster, the Spartans lack depth.

"(The) returning lettermen are consistent bowlers and are strong examples for the new girls joining the squad. The squad shows strength in working together as a team," Pleasant coach Bill Ludwig said.

Ridgedale competes in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference in bowling only, and junior Aubrie Smith and sophomore Sofia Daugherty are a pair of all-leaguers back for the Rockets.

"We are a great team who always support each other," Ridgedale coach Amanda Crease said. "We need to be more consistent in our Baker games."

Northmor will again be a problem for the rest of the KMAC as the Golden Knights won the last three league titles and have made three straight trips to the Division II state tournament. Longtime Northmor coach Russ Montgomery lost Kahlan Ball to graduation, but brings back senior KMAC Bowler of the Year Kourtney Rinehart, who made All-Ohio last season, as well as senior all-KMAC Taylor Cantrell, junior Emma Rinehart and sophomore Emily Ball.

"Winning the league is always the primary goal," Montgomery said. "Finding a way to win the close matches is a priority and spares are a must. If the bowlers believe in themselves and their ability, then they'll do well."

Mount Gilead should be much improved over last year's 3-11 record, especially with five letter winners returning.

"We are gaining experience and skill with very match," MG coach Shawn Boller said. "Our team is looking to be more competitive in match play this year."

Highland has experience with four returnees, but the Scots lack depth with just six on the roster.

"The girls will have to avoid injury/illness with our depth at a minimum," Highland coach Ty Hicks said.

North Union has better numbers in 2022-23 with six returnees and 10 bowlers overall. Last year the Wildcats went 3-13.

∎ For a capsule look at all the high school girls bowling teams in the area, visit MarionStar.com or the app.

rmccurdy@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Girls Bowling Overview: Who's going to be good in 2022-23?