Southwest Washington remains the home of bowling excellence.
Battle Ground won its fourth consecutive Class 4A state team championship Saturday, and Columbia River won the 3A team title at Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place.
Both teams were in first place after Friday’s competition, then both teams ruled the 14 Baker games on Saturday to claim their place in history.
Battle Ground actually trailed by more than 100 pins early on Friday, but stormed back to take a big lead going into Saturday. From there, it was just a coronation for the Tigers.
“Actually, (on Saturday) we started a bit slow in our Baker games,” senior A.J. Schock said. “But then we switched lanes and then we just found our groove.”
Cassandra Huit and Schock finished fourth and fifth as individuals, and then led Battle Ground to the team title. After 14 Baker games and six traditional games, the Tigers totalled 7,809 pins to top Bethel of Spanaway Lake with 7,467.
“Once we got to a point where you could tell the other teams couldn’t catch us, I was smiling from ear to ear,” Huit said. “You couldn’t get the smile off my face.”
Schock, Bailee Standley, and Jane Bergren were part of all four Battle Ground championships.
“It means a lot to go through all of high school and win state every year,” Schock said. “You might hear an individual do something like that, in track or swimming, but not a team sport. It’s a real honor to be a part of this.”
Schock said coming into the tournament as a three-time state champion put some added pressure of the Tigers.
“We definitely had something to prove today,” Schock said. “We were confident. But it’s one thing to say you’re going to do well, but you still have to go out and do it.”
Danyelle Joli, Kayla Beard and Sarah Kester completed Battle Ground’s state tournament roster.
Columbia River was just as thrilled with its first state title.
“To go from last year placing fifth to taking first is a huge accomplishment,” Columbia River’s Emily Basnett said. “To be the first champion ever for Columbia River bowling just feels great.”
Basnett finished 10th in state in the individual competition, which concluded Friday. Teammate Anali Gomez finished ninth.
The Chieftains led R.A. Long by 132 pins after Friday. The lead was cut to 81 pins after three Baker games Saturday.
“Oh my goodness, getting close. We just needed to stay focused,” Basnett said. “We knew we could do it. Once we put our minds to it, we stepped it up.”
River built the lead back up to 122 pins through the sixth Baker Game. Later, the Chieftains gained 76 more pins just in the eighth Baker with a 215. They had a 232 in No. 10, and it was pretty much done.
“The pressure was off us,” Basnett said of the last couple of games. “It was almost impossible for them to catch up.”
Celebration time.
The players, coaches, and family met for lunch in Chehalis.
“We talked about what a relief it was to take home the win,” Basnett said.
Gomez, Basnett, Veronica Munson, Abby Rugg, Shantel Black, and Jacquelyn Gunderson all bowled at least one Baker game for the champs. Gomez, Basnett, Black, and Rugg are seniors.
“This is perfect,” Basnett said.
Columbia River coach Dana Blair now has state championships in two sports. She coached Columbia River to two volleyball state titles earlier in her career.
She said it was great to be part of Southwest Washington’s huge weekend of bowling.
“It’s pretty sweet. It feels like you’ve finally finished a season because there is nothing left to grasp for,” Blair said. “You’ve got the prize.”
Battle Ground knows all about grabbing that top prize. Columbia River got that feeling for the first time.
And Southwest Washington’s run of bowling success continued.
“This is the first time since I’ve been here that our league only got one team to state,” Schock said. “And it’s too bad, because if Skyview (district runner-up to Battle Ground) had been here, I think Southwest Washington would have swept it.”
When asked to explain the success of Southwest Washington bowlers, Huit said, “There must be something in the water.”
