By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Boone County girls’ bowling team lost in the semifinals of the state bowling tournament on Friday in Lexington, but the Rebels expect to have everyone back for another run at the state title next year.
None of the bowlers in the Boone County lineup are seniors. The young squad won two matches before losing to Central Hardin, 3-1, in the state semifinals. Central Hardin was the top-seed in the 16-team bracket and went on to win the state championship trophy.
The Rebels’ team leaders were junior Taylor Evans and sophomore Kara Strong. They both placed among the top six in the state singles tournament on Thursday. In the team matches on Friday, Corina Mazur, Kaylee Austin, Skylar Brinkley and Samantha Richerson were also in the Boone County lineup.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Boone County qualified for the state tournament. The Rebels brought home the state runner-up trophy in 2015 and lost in the quarterfinals last year.
The other Northern Kentucky girls’ bowling teams that qualified for the state tournament were eliminated in the first round on Friday. Highlands earned the No. 4 seed in qualifying games and was upset by No. 13 seed Louisville Mercy, 3-2. Simon Kenton and Notre Dame both lost to higher seeded opponents in their first-round matches.
In the first round of the boys’ tournament, four teams were upset by lower seeds, including No. 3 Covington Catholic and No. 4 Campbell County. Beechwood and Brossart were the other local teams eliminated in the first round.