Ravenna Girls Rally in Qualifying, Roll Through Match Play to Claim Repeat

By Perry A. Farrell
Special for MHSAA.com

February 27, 2026

TAYLOR – Ravenna went Nutts, and it culminated in another Finals title for the reigning Division 4 champion. 

Only Hudson stood in the way of Ravenna repeating Friday at Skore Lanes. But led by coaches and brothers Jason and Jeff Nutt and boasting their daughters Joslyn, Gabby and Taylor, the Bulldogs dominated the Tigers in the championship match 198-146, 219-155 and 194-162 to seal the repeat.

“It was tough,’’ said Jeff Nutt. “There’s an expectation. Last year we might have snuck up on some people. We weren’t coming over last year with thoughts of winning. This year, after winning it (in 2025), the expectations were high.

“We wanted to be the No. 1 seed. That means you (face) the lowest seed going in (to match play), and that gives you an advantage. We knew coming in Jonesville and Hudson were probably our toughest opponents. That meant those two had to match up (on the other side of the bracket), and we only had to bowl one of them.’’

Freshman Joslyn Nutt, sophomore Gabby Nutt and junior Taylor Nutt comprised three of the team’s five bowlers in the Final. Junior Reese Herremans and sophomore Kenydl Luce filled out the lineup.

In all, Ravenna had four returning bowlers from last season and two freshmen who rounded out the roster.

“I watched it last year, and it’s very nerve-wracking watching,’’ said Joslyn Nutt of the championship tournament. “It’s pretty cool to do it this year when I’m actually bowling.’’

Joslyn and Taylor are sisters; Gabby is their cousin.

“It’s tough watching your kid bowl,’’ said Jason Nutt. “I thought they were composed all day and were consistent. Repeating is tough.’’

Hudson was left open frames and splits during the championship and was plagued by bad shots after advancing as the third seed out of qualifying.

Ravenna qualified first at 3,128 pins followed by Jonesville at 2,965 and Hudson at 2,947.

Ravena eliminated Portland St. Patrick in the best-of-five Baker format (3-1) to begin match play and to advance to the Semifinal against Monroe St. Mary Catholic, which defeated Sandusky (3-0). The Bulldogs made it to the Finals by defeating the Kestrels 3-1.

Second seed Jonesville eliminated Burton Bendle (3-2) to face Hudson in the Semifinal. The Tigers had advanced by winning 3-2 over Byron and made it to the Final by eliminating Jonesville (3-0).

Click for full results.

Be the Referee: Bowling Ball Rules

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

December 17, 2024

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Bowling Ball Rules - Listen

We’re bowling today, and the question is: Can a bowler use a bowling ball with no holes?

The answer is yes – but there are some rules around it.

A ball with no holes would have to follow static balance rules. If the ball weighs more than 10 pounds, it may not have more than three ounces of difference between any two halves of the ball.

Additionally, there needs to be a plus sign (+) engraved on the ball where the bowler will place their dominant hand if the ball has more than a three-quarter ounce imbalance between any two halves of the ball.

If there is no imbalance, the plus sign is not needed, and the bowler can place their dominant hand anywhere on the bowling ball they like.

Previous 2024-25 Editions

Dec. 10: Neck Laceration Protector - Listen
Dec. 3: Basketball Goaltending - Listen
Nov. 26: 11-Player Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 19: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football - Listen
Nov. 12: Back Row Setter - Listen
Nov. 5: Football OT - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Registration - Listen
Oct. 22: Volleyball Serve - Listen
Oct. 15: "You Make the Call"
- Soccer Offside - Listen
Oct. 8: Roughing the Passer - Listen
Oct. 1: Abnormal Course Condition - Listen
Sept. 25: Tennis Nets - Listen
Sept. 18:
 Libero - Listen
Sept. 10:
 Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen

(MHSAA file photo.)