Warsaw Bowling Eyes Championship In Second Trip To State
February 5, 2022 at 2:30 a.m.
Warsaw Bowling Eyes Championship In Second Trip To State
By Connor McCann-
This is the second time Warsaw has made it to the final day of the season. The first came in 2018, when the Tigers finished fourth in the state. Under the supervision of head coach Glen Ransbottom for all 21 years, the Tiger bowling squad is improving by the season.
“We all have a passion for the sport. We help these kids progress and when we have an opportunity like this, it’s really a shot in the arm for the program,” Ransbottom said.
Ransbottom and his assistant coaches, Chris Anders, Chris Dausman, Kirk Wyman and Mike Wagley also coach Warsaw’s youth bowling program, which runs from the age of five until graduation. The chance of winning a state title only popularizes the program even more.
“These kids are like celebrities to the youngsters,” Ransbottom said. “It gives them the goal in fifth or sixth grade to want to bowl in the high school program. All of our current players participated in the youth league. Our staff is incredibly passionate about growing the game for these kids.”
Warsaw bowling participates in the Michiana Central Conference, of which it was the regular season champions of this season. The team finished as the runner-up in the sectional, regional and semi-state tournament, making the cut each time to continue advancing. With 190 teams in the state, the Tigers are now one of the final 12.
Warsaw also had some individual playoff success, with sophomore Burl Haywood winning the sectional singles championship and junior Sawyer Darling winning the runner-up. Haywood and junior Zack Wagley would bowl all the way to the singles semi-state qualifier.
Competition is played in a baker style match, which involves five bowlers bowling one game. The five take turns alternating frames, with the first bowler bowling the first and sixth frames, the second bowling the second and seventh, and so on.
“You’re only as good as your weakest player. You’re looking for that right combo that keeps open frames to a minimum, guys that are lined up well. Spare shooting is really inflated in this because filling the frame is more important than getting strikes. No one guy is going to carry you,” Ransbottom said.
The five players, as well as two substitutes, that have fueled the Tiger playoff run are as follows: juniors Logan Gareiss, Darling and Wagley, sophomores Haywood, Justin Whybrew and Nick Ransbottom, as well as freshman Logan Wagley. A younger team with no senior leadership isn’t something that worries Ransbottom.
“It makes Saturday a little bit sweeter, knowing we can give it our all and if we come up short, we can get back to it next year. If we win, we’ll focus on going back-to-back,” Ransbottom said. “The juniors have taken on that role, and even our freshman has made an immediate impact on this team. When these guys step onto the lanes and go to work, what grade they’re in just isn’t relevant.”
The future past Saturday’s state championship tournament remains bright for Tiger bowling, But the upcoming opportunity to hoist the trophy isn’t one that’s being taken for granted.
“I know some of the teams that have won it, and it’s really pushed their programs forward in terms of involvement. We’d be more than honored to bring it home. I don’t know if I can describe the feeling. We know we can compete with any team there, and that would be indescribable to win the whole thing.”
This is the second time Warsaw has made it to the final day of the season. The first came in 2018, when the Tigers finished fourth in the state. Under the supervision of head coach Glen Ransbottom for all 21 years, the Tiger bowling squad is improving by the season.
“We all have a passion for the sport. We help these kids progress and when we have an opportunity like this, it’s really a shot in the arm for the program,” Ransbottom said.
Ransbottom and his assistant coaches, Chris Anders, Chris Dausman, Kirk Wyman and Mike Wagley also coach Warsaw’s youth bowling program, which runs from the age of five until graduation. The chance of winning a state title only popularizes the program even more.
“These kids are like celebrities to the youngsters,” Ransbottom said. “It gives them the goal in fifth or sixth grade to want to bowl in the high school program. All of our current players participated in the youth league. Our staff is incredibly passionate about growing the game for these kids.”
Warsaw bowling participates in the Michiana Central Conference, of which it was the regular season champions of this season. The team finished as the runner-up in the sectional, regional and semi-state tournament, making the cut each time to continue advancing. With 190 teams in the state, the Tigers are now one of the final 12.
Warsaw also had some individual playoff success, with sophomore Burl Haywood winning the sectional singles championship and junior Sawyer Darling winning the runner-up. Haywood and junior Zack Wagley would bowl all the way to the singles semi-state qualifier.
Competition is played in a baker style match, which involves five bowlers bowling one game. The five take turns alternating frames, with the first bowler bowling the first and sixth frames, the second bowling the second and seventh, and so on.
“You’re only as good as your weakest player. You’re looking for that right combo that keeps open frames to a minimum, guys that are lined up well. Spare shooting is really inflated in this because filling the frame is more important than getting strikes. No one guy is going to carry you,” Ransbottom said.
The five players, as well as two substitutes, that have fueled the Tiger playoff run are as follows: juniors Logan Gareiss, Darling and Wagley, sophomores Haywood, Justin Whybrew and Nick Ransbottom, as well as freshman Logan Wagley. A younger team with no senior leadership isn’t something that worries Ransbottom.
“It makes Saturday a little bit sweeter, knowing we can give it our all and if we come up short, we can get back to it next year. If we win, we’ll focus on going back-to-back,” Ransbottom said. “The juniors have taken on that role, and even our freshman has made an immediate impact on this team. When these guys step onto the lanes and go to work, what grade they’re in just isn’t relevant.”
The future past Saturday’s state championship tournament remains bright for Tiger bowling, But the upcoming opportunity to hoist the trophy isn’t one that’s being taken for granted.
“I know some of the teams that have won it, and it’s really pushed their programs forward in terms of involvement. We’d be more than honored to bring it home. I don’t know if I can describe the feeling. We know we can compete with any team there, and that would be indescribable to win the whole thing.”
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092