Palo Verde freshman Alvin Lee kept his composure when it mattered most, rolling three strikes in the final frame to edge Coronado’s Michael Sims 506-502 and win the Class 5A boys individual state bowling title Friday at The Orleans Bowling Center.
Lee, the No. 1 seed, led Sims 267-223 after the first game but saw his lead shrink as Sims started the second game with nine consecutive strikes. Sims’ perfect game bid ended on his first roll of the 10th frame, opening the door for Lee.
“I just stayed focused,” Lee said. “I didn’t make any mistakes and just did my best. I felt excited because I had all the people behind me cheering for me, so I was really excited (to win it).”
In the 5A girls final, Liberty junior Peyton Manning, also the top seed, defeated Palo Verde’s Jessica Read 434-382. Manning held a narrow 217-216 lead after the first game before pulling away.
“(I was) a little nervous, but I knew what I had to do to win,” Manning said. “It was motivation from my parents and knowing I really wanted it.”
Arbor View freshman Ezekiel Trejo, the No. 4 seed, won the 4A boys title 493-461 over Basic’s Gavin Fernandez. Trejo rolled consecutive perfect 300 games in the semifinals to reach the final.
“I was super happy I went 300 and 300, that was pretty cool,” Trejo said. “As much as I appreciated that, my dad told me to remember to breathe and stay calm and don’t get overexcited. I came into today with a positive mindset.”
Del Sol senior Hannah Baum claimed her second straight 4A girls individual state title, defeating Legacy’s Kelle Carpenter 364-310.
“It feels really good,” Baum, the No. 1 seed, said. “I had a lot of support, so it feels better knowing I had the support behind me. This week, I felt really good. I feel as though I bowled really well.”
Team tournaments begin Monday for 5A boys and 4A boys and girls, with 5A girls starting Tuesday. All action is at The Orleans.
