March 8, 2013 - Ferndale Public Schools

[Athletics]
Profile: UHS senior bowler is 2013 Division 2 Runner-Up
Yes, UHS has a Bowling Team
This is the first year of MHSAA competition for University High School’s Varsity Bowling Team and
team captain and UHS Senior William Holmes recently traveled to Jackson, MI to compete against
the best Division 3 bowlers. Holmes had earned the right to compete the previous weekend when
he placed third as a singles qualifier at the Division 3, Region 16 competition at Cherry Hill Lanes in
Dearborn Heights.
The MHSAA Tournament is the largest high school tournament in the country. “It speaks well of the
accomplishment achieved by Holmes,” says his coach and UHS teacher Jesse Ynclan. UHS Guidance
Counselor and experienced bowler Jane Harmon was also a coach for the team.
Meeting at 8:00 a.m., the 120 bowlers in the Airport Lanes began bowling their 6 qualifying matches.
Those with the highest number of total pins scored would advance to the Qualifying Block. Holmes started
slowly, and was in 60th place after three games. He then began his climb into position by rolling 191-227-
211 in the last 3 games, vaulting him into the no. 14 seed with 1136 pins, qualifying for the quarterfinals.
In the Sweet 16 Qualifying Block, bowlers are paired against each other in a two-game, total pin fall
match, with the highest score moving on. Matched against the no. 3 seed from Bridgeport High School,
William bowled in what many observers said was the most exciting match of the competition as both
athletes were determined to stay in the tournament. William lost the first game 223-215. With his back to
the wall and down 8 pins, he won the second game 206-180 to advance to the next round, 421-403. His
incredible run was underway.
Matched against the no. 6 seed Crosswell-Lexington High School bowler, he won 416-379 to move onto
the next round.
Against the no. 7 seed Fremont High School athlete, he would move on with a 417-395 win, putting him
in the Final Match against no. 9 seed Adam LaRoe from Napoleon High School.
UHS Senior William Holmes and
Coach Jesse Ynclan.
In the finals, Will won the first match 199-181, to move within ONE game of the Division 3 title. However in the last game, pocket splits in the second and
sixth frame would prove too hard to overcome. He lost the match 169-192, and the overall pinfall 368-373.
Afterwards, many bowlers and coaches came forward to congratulate Will for his tremendous bowling that day, and for the grace and poise which he
showed the entire tournament. He had bowled 14 games within the span of 7 hours, and had earned the title of Michigan 2013 Division 3 Runner Up.
The UHS Varsity Bowling Team won four matches and lost two this year. They recently bowled in the Ladywood Holiday Tournament, finishing 18th among
25 teams. Then in the state Division 3, Region 16 matches last week, the team finished fourth, missing the third and last playoff position by only 60 pins. Other
team members are: Jordan Evans (cocaptain), Demal Coleman, Michael Stevenson, Seth Keene, Tim Keene, and Marselis Fowlkes.
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