Boys state bowling: Avon Lake back in the Big Dance after a disappointing season last year

It might not qualify as comeback of the year, but Avon Lake qualifying for today's Division I boys state bowling tournament ranks near the top. Avon Lake finished second at the 2024 state tournament, taking defending champ Beavercreek to the wire before losing 3-2 in the Baker final. But, last year, the Shoremen couldn't even get out of sectionals. It was a crushing disappointment. Avon Lake placed 10th out of 15 teams at the Northeast sectional and was a distant 311 pins from the fourth and final qualifying spot. Behind seniors Jeffrey Toth and Luke Slogar the Shoremen have bounced back. Avon Lake captured the fifth and final state-qualifying berth at the Northeast Division I district tournament, Feb. 22, at Rebman Rec. Toth racked up the high series for the tournament, rolling a 275-182-268-725 series. Toth outdistanced Wadsworth junior Hayden Eagon-Mohlmaster (206-221-289-716) and Olmsted Falls junior Matt Jernejcic (227-216-258-701). Slogar (225-247-212-684) also finished ninth. It was quite a day for both. Toth was 71 pins over average, while Slogar was 81 pins above average. "It's a new group of guys for us, a new experience for them" said Toth. "It's the first time going down to state for these guys. I know that feeling. That's awesome. It's exciting." Toth and Slogar were freshmen when Avon Lake advanced to the state tournament in 2022-23 season, when it finished 13th out of 16 teams. "The team has done a great job gelling together," said Toth. "That pretty much has been our mojo all year, especially in Baker. If we're alive, we're striking." Freshman Cooper Poling (17th, 644) also provided a big series at districts. "Last year was unfortunate," said Toth. "I kind of had that mindset coming into this year that this is the last year (as a senior) and anything can happen. I'm glad we did." Avon Lake outdistanced Amherst, 4,400-4,203 Feb. 1 to win the North Shore Bowling Conference Lake Division. It finished second to Amherst, 4,340-4,237, Feb. 8 at the Southwestern Conference tournament. Avon Lake rallied hard in Baker to grab the fourth and final district-qualifying spot by 20 pins at the Northeast Division I sectional, Feb. 15, at Yorktown Lanes. "I think what we can capitalize on best is a lot of energy," said Slogar. "It takes a lot during the state tournament. As long as all the guys are cheering and getting through Baker like we do, I couldn't see us coming up short." Since their sophomore season, Slogar and Toth are no strangers to postseason runs. "Jeffrey and I definitely have worked on developing relationships with the younger kids in hopes to get that energy build-up coming into state," said Slogar. Another trend that has boosted scores for Avon Lake is multiple two-handed bowlers. Slogar, Poling, junior William Sindelar, sophomore Vaughn Kocka and freshman Charles "CJ" John use the style. Slogar started in fourth grade. "A lot of it, with everyone being younger guys just starting off their bowling careers, two-handed has gone so big they have a lot of time with it," said Slogar. "CJ is a really nice case of someone switching over to it because he had problems with speed one-handed. Jason Belmonte impacted my approach with it, just watching pro bowling. I had been bowling standard one-handed bowling and I had problems getting hook on the ball." "I started playing around, trying different stuff. I wanted to hook the ball. I started watching pro bowling and saw guys like Belmo and I thought, 'wow, I want to do something like that.' That's where that came from for me. It's definitely created a whole new game for me, especially coming from a family background of bowling. I'm the first-ever from my family to use it." Avon Lake first-year coach Chaz Velasquez was an assistant the past three years after coaching Lorain for 11 years. When Avon Lake coach Rich Williams stepped down after last season, Velasquez got the job. "For us, it's been all about repetition," said Velasquez. "A few of these guys have been here before. We just put the work in. We practice five days a week. The guys are committed to it. They're enjoying it. They are having fun. That's the key, to have fun, have that team camaraderie and put the best effort forward. "We're pretty young except for the two seniors. They've really been putting their foot forward in guiding these guys, in helping them where they can. To be one of 16 teams is a tremendous honor." Contact Paul Heyse at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.