By Cort Reynolds

ROSSFORD__The Bluffton boys bowling team finished a strong sixth out of 20 teams in the Div. II district tournament at Interstate Lanes in Rossford on Thursday, February 19.

“We had high expectations going into today's event and may have fell just short of moving on, but the boys bowled great and had a great season,” said Pirate head coach Ben Nye.

“We finished 12th out of 16 here last season, and to move up to sixth out of 20 today is amazing,” he noted. “Everyone made so many improvements throughout the year that I felt confident putting anyone in at any time these last few weeks. 

“They made it fun every day this season on the lanes, and I am proud of all their accomplishments this year,” Nye added.

Coldwater won the district team title with a total of 4,372 pins. St. Henry finished second with 4,302, while Napoleon was third (4,131). Only the top three made it to the state tournament. Bucyrus came in fourth (4,019), 112 pins shy of state qualification.

Bluffton knocked down a two-round total of 2,766-1,057=3,823 pins. They missed advancing to the state meet by 308 pins.

Pirate Xavier Navarro bowled a season-high total of 244 in game two of the opening round.

Coby Dailey led the Pirates with a 212-204-177=593 opening round series to pace Bluffton. He bowled 16 strikes and 11 spares in the three games.

Emmitt Kidd and Salazar tied as each tallied a 548 series. Kidd rolled a 211-181-156 series with 15 strikes. Joziah Salazar rolled a 194-168-186 set with the aid of 17 strikes.

Elijah Nye and Brady Montgomery combined for a 158 score in game one. Navarro then bowled a 244 in game two and a 204 in the third set to tally 448 and eight strikes in just two games. 

Weston Johnston rolled a 147 in game one, while Montgomery bowled 165-159=324 over the final two contests.

Bluffton bowled a 922-962-882=2,766 opening round three-game series to stand sixth after the first half.

In the Baker Series, the Pirates rolled a 149-192-153-173-183-207=1,057 set to finish the round fifth. 

Navarro and Salazar each bowled seven Baker strikes. Montgomery and Salazar rolled four spares apiece in the Baker Series.