First Posted: 3/28/2015
As I was leaving the OHSAA Division I Bowling State Final, I was approached by one of the Wapak “super-fans.” She asked if I thought that the fans of our area teams were different than the fans of some of the teams that we had seen at the state tournament.
The answer from me to her was a resounding YEP!
Later this day at Romers in St. Henry a group of more than 600 parents and student-athletes will meet to celebrate the end of yet another successful WOHSBC season.
Three teams will be honored for their state titles, D-I girls champion Wapakoneta and the D-II boys and girls champions from Coldwater.
It will be an incredible afternoon due at least in part to the success of the parents who prepared many of the youth for the moments that they have experienced throughout the season.
The story does not end and for many of us even revolve at St Henry.
Last Saturday and Sunday it was very much in evidence at Southgate Lanes in the Jessica Sanford Memorial Singles.
It was fitting that there was a theme of family and great parents there as well as the memory of Jessica is still rich in each of those elements.
It was great to get the chance to talk to four of the five division winners and the value that each placed on family.
Kasie Moeller took the honors in the 140 and under category. Please note right away that I am predicting great things for Kasie in the future.
She defeated Lily Sifrit in the final match but it was the post match conversation that impressed even more. It was easy to see that her parents Missy and Matt have done a nice job.
“I was nervous the entire time, I did not think that I would be able to win!” She praised not only Lily but also her Shawnee teammate Julia Riepenhoff that rolled in the same division.
“I really did not feel that I was good enough to win any kind of tournament. I know that I have improved but I still did not think that I would win.”
There were two factors that I really liked about Kasie — one was clearly her humility, the other was the value that she places on team. “I would much rather bowl with my team than alone. It was more fun, the way that we pulled together.”
We mentioned Julia Riepenhoff, the daughter of John and Brenda, who was not the only Riepenhoff family member to compete during the weekend.
This is most significant in that they are the cousins of the namesake of the tournament.
James Riepenhoff was amazing Saturday afternoon, setting the standard for the weekend with a 1,437 four-game block and then taking off to bowl in a scholarship event Sunday.
Michael J Riepenhoff was there, however, and simply exploded against William Kleffner for the scratch gold 256-184 as Kleffner could not buy a corner pin early.
Michael J, the son of Michael and Stephanie, a seventh-grader at St Rose demonstrated that there must be some kind of a mystique to this event for the Riepenhoff family, at least this year.
He paid homage to his late cousin and his parents. “It is great to win this tournament — it is dedicated to my cousin. I really want to thank my dad for teaching me how to bowl.”
Mind you that Michael had the first eight strikes in a row and did admit to being a “little” nervous in the ninth frame.
Hannah like James, the child of Jim and Jeannie Riepenhoff, claimed the 141 and up division for the girls and one of the competitors in that division was her cousin Cecilia.
“It was really exciting! It is great to win this because it is a tournament to honor my cousin Jessica.”
It seemed like she thanked the world. “I really want to thank mom and dad for getting me started but I really want to thank everybody like Aunt Chris (mother of Jessica), who does what she does so that we have the chance to bowl.”
Brayton Businger of Bluffton is one great young man, although he is my number two favorite when it comes to the Businger children of Pam and Randy Businger, two real great parents.
Businger won the 141 and up division for the boys, utilizing equipment that once belonged to the fantastic Joel Schwartz. It kind of makes Brayton and I brothers of sorts as we are each throwing hand me downs from when Schwartz used 14 pound balls.
Brayton is one class young man. “I was very nervous, this was my first singles tournament. I was really happy that I even made it into the second round on Sunday.”
Brayton was the top qualifier and sat back and watched as others worked through the step-ladder finals and then realized that he was going up against his teammate and friend, Jayden Foltz.
“It was hard at first to bowl against him but we talked and decided that we would be happy with whoever won, the teammate piece was dropped then until after the match.”
“I have to thank Joel for the equipment — Motiv is the way to go!” — that said I could not get his Hammer away from him either.
He was also the symbol of the love the bowling kids have for their parents. “My parents have spent a lot of money and time on me. They are the ones that have made this happen.” The love that he has for them is very clear.
That said — he is my second favorite Businger. His sister Addison topped everybody Sunday.
I was walking by her and we bumped into each other. “I’m sorry!” was heard in an instant. It was a reaction that we used to hear if not expect in the days of the past but has become very rare.
In the case of Addison, it came across as very sincere and natural — not the least bit contrived.
Addison is one great young lady. It will be fun to watch her grow! Yep Logan Fruchey, she is just that nice. Nice job mom and dad!
Stop back on these same pages when in the near future we wrap the high school season and the conference banquet.
