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Bowlers Reach State Semifinals

The region champion GPS bowlers reached the semifinals of the state tournament!
Down after the first two games in a state quarterfinal match on Friday, Jan. 20, against St. Benedict, the Bruiser bowlers pulled out a 15-12 victory that propelled them into state semifinals on Saturday. “It was an epic come-from-behind win,” said Coach David McGowan.
 
Saturday’s 16-10 loss to Friendship Christian was a tough one for the young team, but the six-time region champions were in the state tournament for the eighth year in a row, and McGowan is looking forward to what his bowlers will do in the future when they have more experience. “We started the season with almost no experience, and we only had one returning starter from last year. I have been impressed with our progress, and we have a great nucleus for next year,” he said.
 
In the quarterfinal win, Cora Long and Tia Kemp each rolled 190; Emily Large and Blakely Reid, who was a finalist for the Division II Miss Bowler award, bowled 167 and 166. Long and Kemp had high totals of 159 and 152 in game two of the losing effort.
 
Congratulations to the Bruisers who competed in the state individual tournament on Thursday. Cora Long finished in 8th place; Blakely Reid finished 11th, Sydney White was 21st, and Emmy Cobb was the 24th place bowler.
 
“Our greatest accomplishment of the weekend was our seniors stepping up and showing the leadership they provided,” said McGowan. “Without their leadership, I don’t think we could have exceeded expectations. We definitely learned a lesson about never giving up and finishing strong.”
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