-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge Boys State Bowling Qualifiers are, left to right, Front Row: Seth Hanson, Jared Jacobson, Tre Preston, Don Ervin Back Row: Rod Riessen, Adam Moore, Ethan Graves, Tristan Earnest

By CHRIS JOHNSON

sports@messengernews.net

The Fort Dodge girls bowling team picked the perfect time to come together and register their best score of the season here on Tuesday.

The Dodger girls rolled a sparkling 2,847 and came away with the top two individual scores in the state to earn a state tournament berth.

“These girls have really been coming on,” said Fort Dodge coach Don Ervin. “Niccole (Begalle, girls head coach) has brought a lot of these girls. There are some that couldn’t even keep the balls on the lane in the beginning of the season.”

The Fort Dodge boys also earned a team berth and the district champion.

The girls season high total entering districts on Tuesday was a 2,588. Waterloo East (2,627) also finished second and qualified in the team race, giving the top team scores from the district at Ridgewood Lanes.

Junior Lauren Hade (426) and senior Bayleigh Olsen (405) were the district champion and district runner-up. They also have the top two scores in the state.

“Lauren and Bayleigh bowled really well,” Ervin said. “This team just blew everyone away to get to the state tournament.”

Hade had games of 196 and 230, while Olsen rolled games of 214 and 191.

Also competing for the Dodgers was Leah Sanck (363), Megan Patrick (348), Allison Paulson (346) and Lexi Hemann (337). Sanck had a 215 for the Dodgers.

This will be the fourth straight trip for the Dodger boys. Fort Dodge finished last year, but is two years removed from their state championship.

Senior Seth Hanson is the lone remaining state champion from that team.

Hanson, who finished third at state last season, claimed the district championship with 484. He had games of 248 and 236.

“Seth is a bowling machine,” Ervin said. “He is a great bowler and a huge asset to us coaches. He helps us brings the team together and listens when we help him.

“He is a great, clean cut kid.”

The Dodgers, who won the district title with a 2,756, had the lowest qualifying score.

“We thought this was going to be a rebuilding year,” Ervin said. “They’ve really come on and put us where we’re, gelling as a team and working hard together.”

Tre Preston was next in line for the Dodgers, rolling a 383 with games of 193 and 190.

Also competing for the Dodgers was Ethan Graves (351), Adam Moore (326), Tristan Earnest (310) and Jared Jacobson (281).

State bowling will be in Des Moines on Tuesday.

Fort Dodge 2,756

Fort Dodge — Seth Hanson 248-236–484; Tre Preston 193-190–383; Ethan Graves 158-193–351; Adam Moore 180-146–326; Tristan Earnest 175-135–310; Jared Jacobson 128-153–281.

Fort Dodge 2,847

Fort Dodge — Lauren Hade 196-230–426; Bayleigh Olsen 214-191–405; Leah Sanck 148-215–363; Megan Patrick 180-168–348; Allison Paulson 178-168–346; Lexi Hemann 139-198–337.