Three of the four TSSAA bowling state individual champions were the first to do so for their respective programs.
SMYRNA − Siegel's Westyn Griffin and Independence's Isabella Warner became the first in their respective programs to capture TSSAA bowling state individual championships on Jan. 21 at Smyrna Bowling Center.
And they took different routes to get there.
Griffin captured the Division I boys title, winning his only stepladder match as the No. 1 seed by defeating Science Hill's Peyton Abel, 175-147, in the finals. Warner entered as the No. 6 seed and had to win five matches for the title, defeating Hardin County's Libby Bromley, 188-183, in the championship match.
Hardin Academy's Kayden Curry also became the first individual in Lions history, taking the Division II title, while Lipscomb Academy's Jessica McClintock captured the Lady Mustangs' third Division II individual title.
Griffin, a senior, dominated through the semifinal round, averaging 234.3 through six games, to earn the No. 1 seed. That meant he had to sit and wait for the championship match, which isn't always an advantage.
"They got tight," Griffin said, of the lane conditions by the time the title match was bowled. "They were definitely very tricky. I thought I was throwing really good shots, but I just wasn't really getting all the hits, wasn't able to carry every shot. Luckily I was able to make most of my spares and was able to come out on top."
Griffin is the first boys bowler, but second overall (Danielle Jedlicki in 2017) to win a state title.
"I'm definitely very happy ... at a loss for words, really," Griffin said.
Warner, a sophomore, had some big games to work her way through the stepladder as the No. 6 seed, including a 221 to defeat the No. 5 seed and later a 254 to race past the No. 3 seed.
"It feels really good," an emotional Warner said. "I know I've done a lot to get here and I've never once wanted to give up on myself. I put so much work and dedication into the things I love. And this is definitely one of them. I'm just so proud of myself."
Curry, the No. 2 seed, bowled a 257 in the championship match, knocking off St. Benedict's Jackson Roberts, while McClintock, the No. 1 seed defeated Pope John Paul II's Emmeline Smith, 176-139.
TSSAA bowling state individual tournament
Division I boys: (5) Kamden Morris (Hardin County) d. (6) Matteo Quintero (Stewarts Creek) 245-214; (4) Zachariah McLean (Siegel) d. Morris 289-179; (3) Peyton Abel (Science Hill) d. McLean 209-171; Abel d. (2) Will Determann (Mt. Juliet) 225-148. Championship: (1) Westyn Griffin (Siegel) d. Abel 175-147.
Division I girls: (6) Isabella Warner (Independence) d. (5) Zoe Chompff (Carter) 221-186; Warner d. (4) Salena Bhakta (Stewarts Creek) 143-134; Warner d. (3) Katelynn Woodard (Hardin County) 254-203; Warner d. (2) Riley Akins (Creek Wood) 181-167. Championship: Warner d. (1) Libby Bromley (Hardin County) 188-183.
Division II boys: (6) Brody West (Friendship Christian) d. (5) Ethan Jacob (JPII) 234-169; West d. (4) John Campbell (Friendship Christian) 202-196; West d. (3) Brady St. Gelais (St. Benedict) 181-171; (2) Kayden Curry (Harding Academy) d. West 197-170. Championship: Curry d. (1) Jackson Roberts (St. Benedict) 257-185.
Division II girls: (5) Brynley Usry (DCA) d. (6) Evyn Dahlinger (St. Cecilia) 163-119; Usry d. (4) Julie Casama (St. Benedict) 152-146; (3) Adrianna Sammons (St. Benedict) d. Usry 147-145; (2) Emmeline Smith (JPII) d. Sammons 143-108. Championship: (1) Jessica McClintock (Lipscomb Academy) d. Smith 176-139.
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bowlers capture firsts for programs at TSSAA state championships
Category: General Sports
