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).
Comebacks Succeed for D1 Title Winners
By
Perry A. Farrell
Special for MHSAA.com
March 6, 2020
ALLEN PARK – Utica Eisenhower’s boys and Zeeland’s girls both went into the regular game portion of their Team Finals matches behind after the Baker round.
Both rallied and ended up claiming Division 1 championships Friday at Thunderbowl Lanes.
Eisenhower rallied from 34 pins down, taking advantage of splits by Salem in the 10th frame to win the crown by five pins, 1,454-1,449. Zeeland fell behind Jenison, the 2019 champion, but rallied in the regular games of the match to win 1,185-1,155 and claim its first Finals title.
“Just amazing,’’ said Zeeland coach Jeremey Baum. “We had shot an 1,119 early in the day, and the girls never gave up.”
“We fell behind, but we stayed positive,’’ senior Skylar Beverwyk added. “We knew we were going to get their best because they were the defending state champs.’’
Eagles senior Dylan Kelly struck out to finish with a 235 and secure his team’s title.
“Dylan has been there for us all year,’’ said Eisenhower coach John Snider. “He’s clutch for us. We got lucky. We had some things go our way in the 10th frame.
Said Kelly: “We kept our spirits up. It wasn’t over until it was over. It’s a special group. We bonded well. We pick each other up when we’re down.’’
Eisenhower fell behind after the first Baker game, losing 216-177, forcing the Eagles to play catchup.
They won the second Baker game, 198-193, but had 34 pins (409-375) to make up in the regular games.
Salem advanced to the championship match by eliminating Davison 1,419-1,243, while the Eagles dispatched of Farmington 1,314-1,160.
Salem had won titles in 2017 and 2013. Eisenhower had won a state championship in 2004 prior to the addition of the sport to the MHSAA lineup in 2006.
In the girls championship match, Jenison built a 63-pin lead after the first Baker game. Zeeland rallied in the second Baker game and headed into regular games trailing 355-325.
“It’s a grind, but the team kept its composure,’’ said Baum.
Perennial power Macomb Dakota was the boys’ top qualifier at 3,684, followed by Oxford (3,624) and fellow Macomb Area Conference Red opponent Eisenhower at 3,623.
Dakota’s run was short-lived as it fell to the eighth-seeded and always tough Davison 1,427-1,359. It was the first time in 16 years Davison had beaten Dakota, head-to-head or in tournament play. Second-seeded Oxford also fell in the quarterfinals, losing to Farmington 1,337-1,313.
Davison advanced to face Salem, which beat Livonia Franklin, 1,475-1,392, while Farmington faced Eisenhower in the other semifinal after Eisenhower had disposed of Swartz Creek, 1,553-1,149.
Zeeland advanced to the championship match by defeating Lake Orion, 1,280-1,194, while the reigning champion was dispatching New Baltimore Anchor Bay, 1,201-1,061.
In the girls’ qualifying round Monroe and Lapeer tied for eighth (3,013), resulting in a roll-off to determine which would face top qualifier Lake Orion (3,344). Lapeer won the tie-breaker, then fell to the Dragons 1,151-1,098.
Anchor Bay was the second seed at 3,184, and Jenison was third at 3,123. Jenison advanced over Westland John Glenn with a 1,415-1,381 victory to face Anchor Bay, which had beaten MAC rival St. Clair Shores Lakeshore 1,224-1,176.
In its quarterfinal, Zeeland opened some eyes with two bowlers shooting 253 and another 255 to set a school record with an 1,119 pin fall in the regular games portion of its match against Rockford. Zeeland advanced to the semifinals with a 1,484-1,232 romp.
Jenison defeated Anchor Bay by 140 pins, while Zeeland reached the final with an 86-pin victory.
Click for full girls results and boys results.