HIGH SCHOOL

Hardin's Channell, Welch qualify for bowling finals

Michael Odom
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Hardin County's Ashley Channell (center) won the Miss Bowler of the Year award on Thursday. Hardin County's Faith Welch (right) was a finalist.

MURFREESBORO — The duo of Hardin County's Ashley Channell and Faith Welch have been close in average all season.

They qualified first and second for the state bowling tournament, and they were both named finalists for the Tennessee Bowling Proprietors Association/Tennessee State USBC High School Bowler of the Year award.

Thursday night, Channell was named the Division I Miss Bowler of the Year for the second straight season, beating out Welch and Walker Valley's Natily Haro.

"To be a a finalist for two years and to win two years is special because I am the first Division I player to repeat," Channell said.

Now on Friday, the two could meet up in during the finals of the individual state tournament after both finished in the top six to advance to the finals.

Channell, a senior, is the No. 3 seed in the finals, while Welch, a sophomore, is the No. 4 seed in the finals.

Channell bowled an eight-game series of 1589, while Welch bowled a 1547 series.

"I felt that I was making good shots to leave an easy second roll," Channell said. "I was trying to bowl a clean game.

"I am happy with a 3 seed. I think it puts me in good position to see the oil pattern and know the line to play."

The finals work as a ladder match as the finals will start with No. 6 Erika Sisk (Blackman) and No. 5 Jada Horn (Germantown) facing off.

The winner will advance to take on No. 4, who is Welch. If Welch wins, she will face Channell.

"We already talked about playing each other," Welch said. "When we practice against each other, she was one pin better than I was, and then I got her the next game. We are competitive with each other. We were playing one team, and we were sitting next to each other talking about beating the other."

The No. 2 seed is Siegel sophomore Danielle Jedlicki, who Channell beat in the final match last year. The No. 1 seed is Blackman freshmen Baileigh Snow.

"My goal was top six this year," Channell said. "I have won it three times, and that is hard to do."

The finals begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. Channell is the three-time defending state champion.

"I felt that Ashley deserved Miss Bowler," Welch said. "Her 220 average was better, and I look up to her."

After the finals, those two along with the other Hardin County bowlers will have to quickly prepare for team competition with baker matches to determine seeding starting at 11 a.m. with boys quarterfinals at 2 p.m. and girls quarterfinals at 4:30 p.m.

The Lady Tigers had four bowlers reach the semifinals. Senior Taylor Stricklin missed out on making the finals by three pins. She bowled an eight-game series of 1476.

Senior Abigail Smith bowled an eight-game series of 1323 to finish 21st in the state.

Hardin County senior Molly Stanley finished 38th in the quarterfinals with a 514 series, while senior Haley Napper finished 42nd with a 601 series.

On the boys' side, Hardin County junior Calin Meeks advanced to the semifinals, claiming the No. 24 spot from the quarterfinals.

Meeks bowled a four-game series of 714 to average a 178.5 in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, he raised his position nine spots to 15th in the state. His highest score came in the semifinals with a 234. He finished with a 1438.

Hardin County senior Savyon Pipes finished 33rd with a 690 series, while sophomore Ben Harmon finished 34th with a 688 series.

Michael Odom, 425-9754