In Kearsley’s boys bowling’s history, there had only been one regional champion — until now.

Senior Bryce McKerchie won an MHSAA Division 2 singles regional title at Mason City Limits on Saturday, Feb. 25.

McKerchie is Kearsley’s second regional champion. Brandon Richard won a regional title during the 2013-2014 season.

After placing second last season with a pinfall of 1,273, McKerchie improved by over 200 pins this year to secure the championship.

McKerchie’s pinfall was 1,488. He had games of 247, 266, 267, 244, 186, and 278.

McKerchie’s total was the sixth highest in the state’s history for qualifying scores at regionals.

For McKerchie, the performance he put on was normal, he said.

“I thought that my performance at regionals was good, but I felt like I could have done better,” McKerchie said.

He said that there is always room for improvement.

“Before states, I am going to work on keeping my feet slow and taking my time between every shot,” McKerchie said.

In addition to McKerchie, junior Jake Reid, sixth, and senior Aaron Linn, 10th, also qualified for the state final.

Linn had barely made the cut to make it to states. He was above the 11th seed by only three pins.

Linn said that advancing to the state final had always been a dream.

“Ever since freshman year, when I made 12th place, I kept telling myself that I would make states before I graduate,” Linn said.

However, Linn is glad McKerchie won.

“He did a great job bowling, and he deserved winning,” Linn said.

The Division 2 singles state final is Saturday, March 4, at the Super Bowl in Canton, beginning at 8 a.m.

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