The Lions opened qualifying with an 852 in game 1, using a late surge to climb into seventh place after an uneven start. They slipped slightly with an 832 in game 2, dropping to eighth, and then held that position with an 815 in game 3. A strong Baker block of 920 pushed Gahanna Lincoln up the standings and comfortably into the bracket as the No. 6 seed, out of the top 16 teams in the State.
Once bracket play began, Gahanna Lincoln turned qualifying momentum into upset wins. The Lions opened match play against No. 3 seed Massillon Perry and edged out a tight best-of-five series, 3-2, to move into the semifinals. In the next round, they faced No. 2 seed Bellefontaine and controlled the match 3-1, earning a spot in the state final. In the championship, the Lions met No. 4 seed Celina but were unable to match Celina’s pace, falling 3-0 to conclude the day as State Runner-Up.
The performance was fueled by balance across the lineup and several timely individual efforts. Lacey Holden led the way in traditional games with a 566 series, providing a steady anchor through qualifying. Off the bench, “super sub” Mikayla Hull delivered a major spark midway through game 1, helping Gahanna Lincoln close strong in that opener. Hull stayed in the lineup for games 2 and 3 and contributed games of 185 and 170, key scores in keeping the Lions inside the cut line.
Kennedy Carruthers and Jessica Goldman offered consistency throughout the regular games and were pivotal once the format shifted to match play, where every frame carried added weight. Amy Dalton delivered a crucial lift in game 3 of qualifying, helping push the team total to 815 and preserve Gahanna Lincoln’s position among the top eight. Rachel Goldman rebounded from a slow start in traditional play to come up big during the 920 Baker block and throughout match play, where her timely marks helped sustain the Lions’ run through the bracket.
Gahanna Lincoln’s depth extended beyond those who rolled frames. Though they did not bowl in competition, Kadince Grigsby and Pyrrha Grigsby played a visible role on the approach, providing energy, encouragement and vocal support for teammates throughout the day. Coaches and players credited the full eight-member group for the Lions’ ability to respond after early struggles and push all the way to the state final.
With a 3,419 total, a 920 Baker block and a series of upset wins over higher-seeded opponents, the Lions’ State Runner-Up finish reflected a complete team effort. The performance not only secured a place among the state’s elite programs this season but also set a standard for futur... Click here to read full article
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