Tecumseh’s girls bowling team claims third state championship, Richards picks up individual title

By MICKEY ALVARADO

Only seven fallen pins separated Tecumseh’s varsity girls bowling team from the runner-up of the Division 2 state bowling finals on Friday, March 5, but they were more than enough to hand the Indians their third championship in as many years.

The three-peat is an unprecedented accomplishment in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s girls finals. The only other team that had a chance to go three in a row was Division 3’s Wyoming Kelloggsville, but the Rockets were eliminated this year in the quarterfinals. Coldwater had an opportunity in 2008 but the Indians won their first Division 2 title that year. None of the boys divisions have back-to-back titles listed in MHSAA’s online records.

In 2006 the Indians advanced to the state quarters but lost to Livonia Clarenciville. The next season, the Indians made it to the semifinals but lost to Bangor John Glenn.

Tecumseh has claimed the division 2 titles every year since, defeating Coldwater in ‘08, Bay City John Glenn in ‘09 and Flint Kearsley this year.

The Indians had to fend off the late charging Flint Kearsley and used the experience of seniors Kara Richard and last year state champ Tawni Vollmer to do so.

“It was the best match I’ve ever been involved in, personally, coaching, anything,” said Tecumseh head coach Ken Richard.

“It was,” agreed assistant coach Doug McKowen. “It went right down to the wire. You can’t describe it. You just have to be here and go through that. It came right down to the very last shots. It was awesome.”

Tecumseh started out slow but managed to place second in the qualifying round. The coaches made some adjustments and it was just what the Indians needed to pick up their third straight championship.

“We qualified second,” said Richard, “I don’t know how. We made some adjustments together on the lineup, moved girls in and out, and they came together. Everybody contributed.”

The very next day the Indians claimed another state title with Richard finishing as the number one bowler in Division 2. She defeated Lindsey Ploof of Flint Kearsley, 396-385 (203-193, 188-197), for the title. Ploof earlier defeated Vollmer 416-356 (205-211, 201-155) in the round of 16.

Tecumseh defeated Flint Kearsley 1699-1692  (213-180-201-184-921, 245-181-169-199-898).

“We were very impressed with the young girls,” said Richard. “If you noticed Kara was right there and talked to every single one before she let them throw a ball. I think that relaxes the kids more than when Doug or I talk to them. Hats off to her and the team.”
In the final game, Stephanie Oldeck shot 177 while Alexis Furrow had 173; Atlanta Roberts, 184, Vollmer 184 and Richard 203.

Flint Kearsley wasn’t far behind with team member scores of 189, Chyanne Hibbs, 209, Katie Smith, 161, Jessica Dawes, 177, Ploof, and 162, Danielle Hale.

“We don’t do it alone,” said Richard. “It’s those seven girls and all them people in the stands.”

Coach Richard said that when Flint Kearsley got to within a couple of pins he heard Hornets coach Rob Ploof pulled his girls in a circle and told them not to let the loud Tecumseh crowd and the girls get to them. The Indians’ fans were definitely rocking the house.

“Right then and there I said, ‘my God, if we can get a couple of spares and strikes, they’re in trouble,’” said Richard.

To advance to the final the Indians defeated Warren Regina, 1,769-1,620 (170-171-233-186-1,009, 192-178-176-208-866). Flint Kearsley beat Charlotte 1,732-1,420 (230-182-232-222-866, 164-169-147-166-774) in the semifinals.

Tecumseh beat Oxford, 1,594-1,474, in the quarterfinals after finishing the qualifying block in second place (3,207) behind Charlotte (3,250).

Kara Richard stepped up the ladder the last three years to get to the championship final. Last year she advanced to the semifinal before bowing out and the year before she made it to the quarterfinals. She advanced to the round of 16 as a freshman.

This year she finished third in the qualifying block with a score of 1,216 while Vollmer placed first with 1,260.

The top 16 bowlers, based on total pin fall after the six game morning qualifying block advanced to the match play finals. The match games were two-game total pin fall.

In the Round of 16, Kara Richard defeated Rebecca Jones of Owasso (435-295. Vollmer was defeated (416-356) by Kearsley’s Proof.

In the quarterfinals, Kara Richard edged Jennifer LaClair of Bay City John Glen by nine pins (339-330).

To advance to the title final, Kara Richard defeated Hannah Gauthier of Lapeer West (448-330).

Tecumseh’s first ever three-peat champs are planning their annual bowling banquet on Saturday, March 13, beginning at 5 p.m., at the home of the Indians, Ten Pin Alley.