Adapted bowling: Tigers, Carlson take second at state

Members of the Lake City adapted bowling team said they like the team competition the best because it lacks the pressure of the singles and doubles competitions. The bowlers trust that one of their teammates can pick the Tigers up should the need arise.

Junior Brian Carlson did just that Friday at the state tournament. Carlson bowled a career-best 145 in Game 2 — he averages 90 — to help the Tigers finish in second place in the cognitively impaired division at the Brunswick Zone in Eden Prairie, Minn.

Lake City finished with a total of 1670. North/Tartan defended its title, winning by 60 pins.

"It felt like first," Carlson said.

Carlson closed out Game 1 with two strikes and then he began Game 2 with a turkey. When his 99-handicap was taken into account, Carlson finished with a team-high total of 451.

"If it wasn't for him, I don't think we would have gotten it, personally," junior Amber Schones said. "I did pretty good, but he did astonishing. I can't even explain what he did today. Having someone to lean back on is just great."

Schones bowled a 138 in Game 1 and followed with a 128. Given her 72-handicap she finished with a 410 total. For her it represented a bit of redemption.

She finished sixth a year ago in the singles competition, but she took 45th this year with a two-game total of 376.

"She didn't place so she was pretty bummed," Lake City coach Kim Bobb said. "She was able to turn it around when the team bowled."

Tyler Kimber and Megan Keller, both sophomores, were the other two members of Lake City's team. Kimber finished with a total of 412 while Keller registered a 397.

"Ever seen the movie 'Miracle' where they won it in the end?" Kimber asked. "It's kind of like that moment where everybody's cheering for you. ... I've never won a single thing in my life so this is my first time winning anything."

The Tigers' cheering and upbeat attitude also set them apart.

"They were so loud," Bobb said. "Everyone was staring at us. It was awesome."

Jenny Huppert also delivered a noteworthy performance. The Lake City eighth-grader took 12th in the girls singles competition with a total of 422.

Huppert averages a 68. She bowled an 80 and a 106. Her Game 2 score was the second or third time she's eclipsed 100 this season, according to Bobb.

Keller finished with a 409 in the singles competition.

In the boys singles competition, Kimber finished with a 411, Carlson recorded a 404 and seventh-grader Riley Huppert tallied a 384.

"I was so worried about going home not having a medal," Schones said. "I came here to get one and I got one. I was just, oh my gosh. And we actually won it."

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