Upsets in Junior Masters bowling finale
The top seeds failed to sprout in the 21st Dan Ottman Memorial Championship, but a couple of bright new stars blossomed in the Alro Steel Michigan Junior Masters Association season finale Sunday in Monroe. In a battle of good friends and doubles partners at Held's Monroe Sport Center, Jesse Hojnacki of Port Huron won the boys title, defeating top-ranked Ryan Van Hecke of Sterling Heights, 226-182. It was Hojnacki's first singles title, after winning three doubles titles, the last with Van Hecke in January. "It feels good," Hojnacki said. "I've been waiting awhile for this one. I'm glad I got to face my friend for it. I wouldn't have wanted to go against anyone else." In an all-Ontario girls final, second-seeded Valerie Calberry of Brampton capped her rookie of the year season by defeating bowler of the year Jennifer Churchill of Windsor in the title match, 205-168. "It hasn't kicked in yet," Calberry replied when asked her reaction to her first title being a major. In addition to competing against the season's top player, Calberry was also competing against her boyfriend's sister. Did that add any pressure? "You really don't think about what bowler you're facing," Calberry said. "You just concentrate on making good shots." Calberry won $1,250 in scholarship money; Churchill $600, and Sarah Jaeger of Highland $500. Felicia Goll of St. Clair Shores, who lost the stepladder opener to Jaeger, 185-175, earned $400. Hojnacki won a $2,500 scholarship; Van Hecke $1,500; Tim Pfiefer of Cranberry Twp., Pa., $1,250; Kevin Black of Port Clinton, Ohio, $1,000, and John Kaashoek of Jenison $900. Other season-ending awards went to Kaashoek and Sara Litteral of Chesterfield Twp.; each was awarded $1,000 Ottman Memorial Scholarships. John Kelley of Sterling Heights was the boys bowler of the year and Chris Creeks of Zelienople, Pa., was boys rookie of the year.
By Matt Fiorito
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