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Wilson Central's Metz, Friendship Christian's West capture state bowling titles

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Four Rutherford County bowlers who were in the individual finals included (l-r) Smyrna's Blake Evans (sixth), Josh Meeke (fourth) and Xavier Powell-Short (second) and Blackman's Jacob Berry (fifth).

SMYRNA - Wilson Central senior bowler Megan Metz wasn't worried about a perfect game.

But, striking the front seven in the championship match of the TSSAA State Bowling Tournament individual DI girls finals didn't hurt.

"I just kept throwing my shot," said Metz, who defeated Siegel's Danielle Jedlicki 252-213 in the championship match to capture the state championship. "I was mainly focusing on winning this thing. (Jedlicki) is such a good bowler."

Other champions included Hardin County's Calin Meeks, who defeated Smyrna junior Xavier Powell-Short 237-186 in the DI boys finals, Christian Brothers' Jackson Stanley in DII boys and Friendship Christian's Kennedy West in DII girls.

It can be a helpless feeling when your opponent is on a roll. Such was the case with Jedlicki, the defending state champion, against Metz.

"There was nothing I could do about her game," said Jedlicki, who also finished runner-up her freshman year. "I wasn't going to give up because she had seven in a row."

Jedlicki, the No. 1 seed, had to wait for her lone match during the finals, which was a step-ladder format. She bowled well over her average in the championship game.

"I liked the shot," Jedlicki said. "My lowest score all week was a 178, so that's fine with me. Everybody wants to win, but all I could do was my best."

The six Division I girls bowlers in the finals included (l-r) Wilson Central's Megan Metz (champion), Siegel's Danielle Jedlicki (second), Hardin County's Faith Welch (third), Blackman's Sarah Sanes (fourth), Lebanon's Lindsay Manning (fifth) and Blackman's Baileigh Snow (sixth).

Metz, the No. 2 seed, defeated Hardin Valley's Faith Welch in her lone game to reach the championship.

"I found my shot in the last five frames (of the first game)," said Metz, who rolled five strikes in a row to end her first match before beginning the championship match with seven in a row. "I feel like it did (help by bowling a game prior to the championship). It helped with nerves."

Powell-Short climbed the ladder from the No. 5 seed into the championship. He knocked off teammates Blake Evans (who finished sixth) and Josh Meeke (fourth) along the way while also taking down Blackman's Jacob Berry (who finished fifth).

"I'm proud of myself," said Powell-Short, who was a Mr. Bowler finalist. "I wish I would have done better the last game. (Meeke, Evans) are good teammates and great friends."

West was the No. 2 seed in DII girls, knocking off Clarksville Academy's Leah Hayes 181-148 to reach the finals. There she rolled to a 174-127 win over Baylor's Ashton Bazzell.

"I'm really excited," said West, who averaged 163 through the quarterfinals and semifinals. "I was on today. (The lane conditions) didn't affect me, since I bowl straight."

Team quarterfinals: Smyrna, White House and Tullahoma all advanced in the DI boys team tournament while Creek Wood, Walker Valley and Blackman advanced in DI girls.

in DII, Friendship Christian and Lipscomb advanced in boys while Pope John Paul II, Goodpasture and Friendship Christian advanced in girls. 

In Saturday's DI boys semifinals, Smyrna will battle White House and Tullahoma will bowl defending champ Hardin County. Blackman's girls will take on Hardin County while Creek Wood will bowl Walker Valley in DI girls semifinals.

The DII boys semifinals will have Friendship Christian against Christian Brothers and Lipscomb vs. St. Benedict. In DII girls, Goodpasture will take on St. Benedict and JPII will bowl FCS.

All semifinal matches are slated for 9 a.m., with championship matches scheduled for 11:30.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

Friendship Christian's Kennedy West captured the Division II girls individual championship.