When junior Imari Blond stepped into the approach for her third regional event, she did not feel the rush of nerves like some athletes do.

“I’ve been bowling for so long it just doesn’t even phase me anymore,” Blond said.

On Saturday, Feb. 23, she won her third straight singles regional championship.

Seven of the last eight years, a Hornet has won an MHSAA Division 2 regional singles event.

Keeping Kearsley’s and her personal streak alive, Blond led the tournament and finished first overall with a score of 1,282 for six games.

Coach Rob Ploof said that Blond benefits the entire team.

“Imari is very, very good and makes the entire team better,” Ploof said. “She (has) a special talent, and winning the regional singles title three years in a row is not an accident.”

During the fifth game, Blond had a shot for a perfect 300 game, but she fell short with a 279.

Her tactic is to view each game the same to avoid falling under pressure.

“I didn’t feel any pressure in that game,” Blond said. “I just made it seem like every shot was the first frame of the game.”

Unlike some athletes, she is not settling and continues to work to better her personal strategy.

“I have worked during season and during off-season nonstop to be where I am now,” Blond said.

Ploof agrees that Blond is goal-oriented with her bowling career.

“She works hard on her game,” Ploof said.

Blond holds herself to a high standard and wants to keep improving her game.

“The thing I need to work on the most is my attitude and my look on things,” Blond said. “Your mental game determines whether you win or not.”

Qualifying alongside Blond were sophomores Allison Eible and Emilea Sturk.

For these two bowlers, this was their first year on the varsity team.

Eible, who finished second with a 1,238-pin total, felt a thrill of emotion as her hard work paid off during the season.

“Making it to states is an amazing feeling, knowing that I’ve helped a team continue the streak that (has) lasted for years,” Eible said.

Sturk finished eighth with a 1,072, and said she felt a lot of emotions while competing.

“I had a pretty negative attitude due to throwing some bad games,” Sturk said. “But during the last game I need to bowl a 200 to get in and I put all (of) my energy into getting that.”

Kearsley Regional Champions

• Imari Blond – 2019
• Imari Blond — 2018
• Imari Blond — 2017
• Hannah Ploof — 2016
• Hannah Ploof — 2015
• Anna Rutledge — 2014
• Kayla Emmendorfer — 2013
• Lindsay Ploof — 2011