East Knox senior Olivia Nastasi ended a strong rise through the high school bowling ranks Saturday, finishing her career by tying for 27th place in the Division II state tournament at HP Lanes.
Nastasi, who took up bowling as a sophomore, rolled games of 206, 167 and 161 in her first state appearance to finish with a 534 series, tying Rootstown's Maggie Frick.
Nastasi's performance came a day after East Knox's boys team finished 12th in its first state tournament . She averaged 193.3 per game during the regular season, earning Knox-Morrow Athletic Conference Bowler of the Year by more than 30 pins.
"She took to (bowling) like a duck to water," East Knox coach Chip Pozderac said. "Her timing was there and she was driven. She worked. This was her thing. She hired a private coach; she was bowling all the time.
"She is as calm, cool and focused as can be."
The Central District's other qualifying individual, River Valley senior Alexis Manning, was state runner-up to Carrollton's Kaylee Russell by three pins (665-662).
Lakewood placed last of 16 teams (2,459) after reaching state for the second time in three years.
Senior Victoria Pletcher led the way by finishing 66th (469), and seniors Nevaeh Wall and Savannah Zwayer tied for 77th (423). Junior Amy Smith (89th, 268) rolled two games, and sophomore Riley Bloise (94th, 129) and junior Peyton Mellring (96th, 121) each rolled one.
Springfield Kenton Ridge defeated Mechanicsburg 3-0 for the title.
The top eight teams after the qualifying round made the finals.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: East Knox's Nastasi ties for 27th at D-II girls state bowling
