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).
Performance of the Week: Fenton's Jena Fijolek
December 15, 2023
Jena Fijolek ♦ Fenton
Senior ♦ Bowling
Fijolek rolled a perfect 300 during last week’s match against Ortonville Brandon – her previous high in a league match was 232 – and that 300 game also contributed to her career-high series of 489. Her team’s win in that match made Fenton 2-0 in Flint Metro League matches to kick off this winter.
The Tigers already had aspirations of reaching the MHSAA Team Finals this season; they finished eighth in their Division 2 Regional last season and sixth in 2022. Fijolek’s personal aspirations also received a boost by her perfect game – she’s seeking to make the Singles Finals for the first time after finishing 16th at her Regional last season, just 31 pins out of advancing to the championship weekend among the top 10. A four-year varsity bowler on the team, Fijolek also came close to making the Finals as a freshman, finishing 18th and just 44 pins outside of qualifying in 2021.
@mhsaasports 🎳POW: Jena Fijolek #bowling #300 #letsgo #fenton #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🎳POW: Jena Fijolek #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #night #redbull #emoji #summeriturnedpretty #spritecranberry #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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Past 2023-24 Honorees
Dec. 8: Sophia Wagner, Escanaba gymnastics - Report
Dec. 1: Isaiah Marshall, Southfield Arts & Technology football - Report
Nov. 24: Sarah Bradley, Clarkston Everest Collegiate volleyball - Report
Nov. 17: Kalieb Osborne, Waterford Mott football - Report
Nov. 10: Tekalegn Vlasma, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Colton Kinnie, Birmingham Seaholm football - Report
Oct. 27: Lauren Timpf, Macomb Lutheran North golf - Report
Oct. 20: Alena Li, Okemos golf - Report
Oct. 13: Seth Norder, Grand Haven cross country - Report
Oct. 5: Paige Anderson, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer golf - Report
Sept. 29: MacKenzie Bisballe, Lake City volleyball - Report
Sept. 22: Jhace Massey, Gladwin football - Report
Sept. 15: Kaylee Draper, Sturgis swimming - Report
Sept. 8: Owen Jackson, Traverse City St. Francis tennis - Report
Sept. 1: Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Fenton girls bowling program.)