Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
HERRIN — The Harrisburg Bulldogs are the defending boys bowling state champions, and they definitely looked the part at Herrin Bowl, opening their state title defense by winning the Marion Regional by 792 pins.
The Bulldogs swept the top three individual spots, with James Cranmore taking home medalist honors with 1436 pins. Caleb Gore was second with 1386 pins, and Dalton Wheeler finished third with 1330 pins. The Bulldogs knocked down 6619 pins on the day to easily outdistance Carterville.
The Bulldogs and Lions, along with Massac County and Herrin, will all advance to the Mt. Vernon Sectional.
Ten individuals not on those four teams also advance to the sectional. That group was led by Carbondale’s Colton McKee, who finished fourth overall with 1311 pins. Other individuals advancing include Logan Quick (Anna-Jonesboro), Hemi Price (Eldorado), Seth Cochran (Anna-Jonesboro), Logan Wright (Carbondale), Ethan Zirkelbach (Marion), Hunter Manis (Marion), Rylan Sanchez (Marion)d, Dax Bolley (Marion), and Bryan Wright (Anna-Jonesboro).
Elsewhere, Salem and Mt. Vernon each advanced from the North Clay Regional held at Pagel Silver Dollar Lanes in Effingham. The Wildcats won the regional by seven pins over Breese Central. The Rams were third with Mascoutah also advancing. Salem’s Dylan Kuhns was your medalist.
Advancing individuals include Jaxon Cushman (Christ Our Rock Lutheran), Miller Garrison (Triad), Trent Hediger (Highland), Gage Rakers (Wesclin), Landon Davis (Lebanon), Brady Zotz (Wesclin), Chase Finley (Centralia), Lucas Harriss (Wesclin), Ethan Thompson (Webber), and Jackson Naylor (Triad).
The Mt. Vernon Sectional was originally scheduled for Saturday but has been moved up a day due to the potential winter storm in the forecast for the region this weekend.
