Qualifying for the district bowling tournament is something Bethany Stokes called a “step-by-step” process.”
Stokes will compete in the Division II district Bowling Tournament Saturday at Rebman Lanes in Lorain after qualifying from the Wickliffe Sectional Tournanent last Saturday.
The Edgewood senior recorded a total of 523 to qualify as the top individual from the sectional tournament at Wickliffe. She registered games of 150-207-166.
Stokes is currently averaging around 170 this year, and has a high game of 259.
Edgewood has had a bowling team for three years, and Stokes becomes the second district qualifier and the first girl to advance.
Carter Howard qualified to the district last year.
“It’s been a goal of mine since I joined the team my sophomore year,” Stokes said. “It’s always been a work in progress, just getting there. It’s been like one step each year, getting close to that. I just thank my coaches and teammates, they’ve been so supportive.”
The steps Stokes talked about actually started well before she reached high school.
Born into a family that had a strong interest in the sport, Stokes was at the lanes at age 7.
As a child, she could often be found at Lakeshore Lanes, which burned down in the fall of 2022.
However, Stokes found a home at Jefferson Lanes, where she said she gets in as much time as she can working on her game.
“I love it here,” Stokes said of the Jefferson bowling alley. “It’s great people and great staff, it’s just wonderful overall. I try to come here as much as I can. Usually, they have full houses because they run many leagues. But every time I can get here, I come and try to do my best.”
Growing up, she often competed in youth tournaments, including the Pepsi Youth Championship Tournaments.
Getting to Lorain this weekend is not only a big deal to her, but also to Warriors bowling coach Dave Johnston.
Johnson was part of the Pro Bowlers tour for four years before arthritis in his neck forced him into retirement.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her.”
Stokes said she is strongly considering bowling for a college team in the future.
She said the opportunity and exposure she received from the youth competition may be able to open some doors for her.
“I’ve received scholarship offers, especially from the Pepsi Tourmanets I did in my youth,” Stokes said. “I’m hoping to take that a step further and go into college with that.”
For this weekend, though, her plan is simply to make sure she enjoys her time competing at the district tournament and will let the pins fall where they may.
“I just want to have fun,” she said. “That’s my main goal. I want to have fun. Whether I qualify [for the state tournament the following week], I just want to make it my best.”
Jefferson and Saint John also competed in the D-II sectional tournament at Wickliffe Lanes last weekend.
The Falcons finished eighth with a team total of 2,152 for eighth, and the Heralds, 1,804 for ninth in the district girls competition.
For Jefferson, Lilly Perry notched a 404.
Emma Call paced Saint John with a score of 302.
On the boys side, the Warriors finished fourth to qualify for the district with a score of 3,707.
Nathan Cameron topped Edgewood with a 599.
The Falcons scored 3,084 for eighth place, followed by the Heralds at 3,078.
RJ Cotton rolled a 516 for Jefferson.
Dalton Nellis posted 525 for Saint John.
Lakeside is scheduled to participate in Division I competition Saturday at Northwood Lanes in Macedonia.