Ploof wins individual bowling regional, finishes with a 297

Four girls advance to individual state final

By Katie Valley, Editor in Chief|March 1, 2016

IMAGE / Mr. David Fairman

After throwing 11 strikes, three pins decide to be stubborn for senior Hannah Ploof. She finished her final game of the Division 2 individual regional with a 297.

After coming in second at the MSHAA Division 2 team regional, one of the six members of the girls’ bowling team won the individual regional championship.

Senior Hannah Ploof was victorious, winning the title for the second year in a row.

“I was very determined to win,” Ploof said. “I won last year and I wanted to defend my title, and this was my last chance to do that.”

The competition took place Saturday, Feb. 27, at Cherry Hill Lanes in Clarkston.

Ploof bowled a 6-game total of 1,318, which ended with an incredible 297 game.

Ploof went into the final game with a relaxed attitude.

“I was actually reading a book,” Ploof said. “It was a mental game book. I was trying not to focus on my bowling and just let it happen.”

And she did let it happen.

“It was an amazing feeling to end my last regional like that,” Ploof said proudly.

That final game secured Ploof the title. Finishing in second place, Kaycee Richmond from Mason could not catch up to Ploof, ending the contest 203 pins short.

The state finalists stand with their coach: Barbara Hawes (left), sophomore; Hannah Ploof, senior; Rob Ploof, coach; Karlee Griffin, sophomore; and Alexxa Flood, senior.
IMAGE / Mr. David Fairman
The state finalists stand with their coach: Barbara Hawes (left), sophomore; Hannah Ploof, senior; Mr. Rob Ploof, coach; Karlee Griffin, sophomore; and Alexxa Flood, senior.

Besides Ploof, the other Hornets competing were senior Alexxa Flood, sophomores Karlee Griffin, Barbara Hawes, and Emma Boychuk, as well as freshman Alexis Roof.

Four of the six advanced to the individual state final: Ploof, Griffin, Hawes, and Flood.

Griffin placed sixth with a pinfall of 1,057. Her strongest series was game four where she dropped 225 pins.

In eighth place, Hawes knocked down 1,039 pins.  Her first three games were around the 200 mark, but her last three fell a little short. Hawes’ best game was a 205 in game three.

Finally, Flood finished 10th in the match with a score of 1,025. Here high score was 191 in game six.

The four Hornets compete in the individual state final Saturday, March 5, at Super Bowl in Canton.

They will compete in a field of 60 girls for the individual state title.

Ploof, who finished in the top 16 last year after getting knocked out of the tournament in the first round, has her method of preparation.

“I’m going to keep reading that book and just stay focused on my goal of winning,” she said. “I think both the team and myself have a very good chance at winning (the final).”