By Rhonda Hutchison
Five years in a row, they just keep rolling over all obstacles to win.
On Jan. 28, the Pendleton County High School Wildcat bowling team made history by winning the Region 5 Boys Team Competition for the fifth consecutive year.
Added to that, the Pendleton Unified Bowling Team also made history by winning the Region 5 Unified Team Competition for the fourth year in a row.
BOYS REGIONAL
Over the past few years, the bowling program has taken a big hit in losing several senior players. This loss forced them to combine the program into a co-ed team vs. a boys team and a girls team, and pare from 20 bowlers down to six.
In seeding and match competition, each team gets to bowl eight players for scoring, dropping the lowest scores from each side of their team. The Cats with only six bowlers did not have that luxury. Each team member’s score counted.
Coming into the region this year, several competitors had written off this small but determined team and wanted to take the region title from Pendleton.
Braden Brann, Maddie Marshall, Adam Straus, Kree Brewer, Emma-Lee Chappell, Kyan Brewer, Jennifer Thomas and Amber Brewer, the Wildcat coaches/team, had other plans.
As they entered the alley on Tuesday, Jan. 28, one could see the determination on their faces and they weren’t going down without a fight.As the nine boys teams in the region took to the lanes, PC was only one of the two teams that were co-ed and had the least number of bowlers.
First came the seeding round. The first balls were thrown as coaches were trying to settle their teams into a rhythm.
Once the seeding round was finished the Cats found themselves seeded third with a total pin count of 1,035.
PC had a bye the first round but had to face Highlands in the second round. In this round of play, the first team to win three out of five baker games would advance, loser goes home.
Highlands fought hard but the Cats fought harder, taking the round in three games 188-126, 166-111, 205-94. This win moved the Cats into the semifinals against rival Campbell County Camels.
The round proved to be a nailed-biter. The Camels took games one and four while the Cats took games two and three: 176-209, 175-162, 258-199, 168-179.
The fifth game came down to the 10th frame, with the Cats winning 169-162, moving them to the finals against Simon Kenton.
In the finals, the first game went to the Cats 187-153 with SK taking games two and three, 200-210 and 145-160.
Not ready to admit defeat the Cats came out as a bowling machine taking game four, 220-188.
Now it was down to game five. Spectators could feel the tension as the two teams began the fight.
In a perfect example of what teamwork is supposed to look like, the Wildcats came out ready to begin the fight of their season. As this small but dedicated team filled each frame, you could see their determination and excitement building.
Then it was over and the crowd went wild...THEY HAD DONE IT. The Cats had won the fifth game 195-169, taking the title of Region 5 champs for the fifth year in a row. The hard work and determination of this team had paid off.
The Wildcats also had the highest baker game in Region 5 play with a 258.
The Cats will compete at the state competition in Louisville on February 10.
REGIONAL UNIFIED
This year PC sent four teams to compete at the regional unified, and after a two-game seeding round. the teams were seeded as follows: PC#1, Jordan Ewers/Kyan Brewer, seed 1 (287); PC#2, Donnie Brown/Kree Brewer, seed 3 (255); PC#3, Brian Lynch/Braden Brann, seed 14 (190); and PC#4, Dylan Beckett/Maddie Marshall, seed 11 (197).
The next part of the competition was the head to head games, with only the winners moving on.
In round 1, PC#1 and PC#2 had byes, with PC#3 facing Simon Kenton #4 and PC#4 facing Scott#3.
PC#3 easily took their match 99-49, however PC#4 tied and had to have a roll off, which it won.
Round 2 found all the teams in action. PC#1 took down Highlands#2, 197-69. PC#4 was defeated by SK#8, 202-103,
PC#2 and PC#3 found themselves bowling each other, with PC#3 taking the game 86-55.
In round 3 PC#1 took down Dayton#1, 197-69. PC#3 was defeated by SK#8, 151-81, leaving only PC#1 advancing to the semifinals against Highlands#4.
Ewers/Brewer came out strong quickly taking the game from Highlands#4 and moving themselves to the finals against SK#8.
The final game proved to be an exciting one. With their fellow teammates and families cheering them on, Ewers/Brewer came out fighting.
The game was a close one with the winner being determined in the 10th frame. Ewers had to mark in the 10th frame to even have a chance at winning. Without hesitation Ewers stepped up and let his first ball roll, knocking down seven pins. He had to pick up his spare or accept defeat.
As the crowd held its breath, he rolled his second ball—a spare.
Ewers/Brewer had a chance. All Ewers had to do was bowl five pins with his next ball to win the region.
With a smile on his face and his love for the game showing, Ewers let his last ball fly. Eight pins.
Ewers/Brewer were once again the Region 5 Unified Team Champs.
Jordan and Kyan will compete at the state competition on Feb. 12 in Louisville.