Leave no Pins Standing at State
The Gentry Pioneers boys’ and girls’ bowling teams left for Conway, Arkansas, Tuesday night to bowl in the 4A-5A State Finals. Gentry was bowling against 14 other schools in Arkansas. Each team that made it to State were the top 5 in their conferences. Gentry boys and girls were 3rd in their conference.
It was an emotional day for some of the boys who were bowling their last state match as a Pioneer. Wyatt Clark, Jake Faulkenberry, Andrew Foley, CJ Taylor, and Mark White were the 5 seniors bowling at state, The team also has two sophomores, Myles McFerron and Daniel Thao.
Things did not go the way the Pioneers wanted it to go, finishing 7th with a total of 2765 points after individuals playing. Clark, the leading bowler for the Pioneers, bowled a 174,193, and 225 ending with 592 in the series and placing 4th in state. Another nice score was Foley with a 487 series, bowling a 140,197, and 150. Faulkenberry also ended with a 462 series bowling a 191,132, and 139. White bowled a 149, 145, and a 135 ending with a 329 series. The Pioneers were going into bakers in 7th place. After bakers, the Pioneers ended in 6th place.
“This season didn’t go quite the way I wanted it to, but I had fun and I’m thankful for all the friends and memories I have made along the way,” said Clark.
The Lady Pioneers weren’t doing so well in State finishing in 8th. The seniors for the Lady Pioneers who were bowling their last match were Kendall Baker, Rebecca Martin, Sabra Philpott, Tori Vetor, Lexie West and Carol Williams. Williams finished 22nd in individuals with a 427 series bowling a 130,140, and 153. Sophomore Billi Taylor finished 27th in individuals with a 406 bowling a 126,124, and 156. Vetor bowled a 388 series bowling a 137,134, and a 117.
“It was bittersweet bowling my last match, especially since we didn’t bowl as well as we could have. I’m definitely going to miss the team though,” said Vetor.
“I was very proud of the boys and girls programs this year. They both competed hard all year, and I think the future is bright for Gentry Bowling,” said Coach Justin Ledbetter.
