Huber making history for Bulldogs

CELINA - Ashtyn Huber thought her great season on the lanes for the Celina girls bowling team couldn't get any better.

But then she came up with her best effort of her career to make things just a little nicer.

The Celina senior became the first Bulldog girls bowler since bowling became an official school sport at Celina to qualify for the state tournament, making the trip to Columbus for the Division I state tournament this weekend.

"I didn't think it was going to happen. I was surprised," said Huber during a break in practice at Plaza Lanes. "I've been working a lot harder to make sure I did my best."

After earning first team All-Western Buckeye Honors and finishing third in the league tournament last season, Huber put in extra time at the lanes leading up to the year.

"Last year I started off slow and by the end of the year I was doing pretty good," said Huber. "This (preseason), I decided to get better and better. I went out more to practice more and have some of my friends who were on the team come with me so we could get better. We had a connection through our teammates that we haven't had in the past. That truly helped us get to where we are today."

The hard work paid off. Huber has been bowling her best all season for Celina.

During the regular season, Huber set the school record for best game with a 268 on Jan. 31 against Elida. Earlier in the season, she set the school record for three-game series score with a 677. At the WBL tournament, Huber finished third overall in the individual standings, which was enough for her to capture Bowler of the Year honors in the Western Buckeye League - based on points earned with her finishes in the regular season matches and the league tournament - in helping the Bulldogs win the outright league title.

At the sectional tournament at Minster, Huber earned medalist honors with a 623 series as the Bulldogs won the team title and advanced to Port Clinton and the district tournament.

With just one team and one individual bowler qualifying for state out of the district, the Bulldogs knew they would have to have one of their best games.

"I was focusing on making sure I had my balance right and focusing on where I was placing the ball instead about worrying about the other teams' scores," said Huber. "I was worried about mine."

While the Bulldogs just missed qualifying for state as a team, placing second, Huber came up with another great effort, breaking her own series record with a 700 to earn district medalist honors and punch her ticket to Columbus.

"After winning WBL and sectional, I decided that I was going to do my best at districts," said Huber. "I guess it paid off. I'm happy about that."

When the announcement came that she was heading to state, she was happy, although she wished she could have gone with her teammates.

"I was excited. I was going 'Wow,' " said Huber. "I thought this season was already going really good. Then I made it to state. I couldn't comprehend that (at the time). Now it's like 'It's Saturday and it's going to be really big.' "

As for her expectations going into the tournament, Huber, who is only one of three bowlers competing at the state that bowled a 700 or better in a series last week at district, is simply going to aim for what she's been doing all season: doing her best.

"It's going to be hard, but I'm going to do my best and put in all the effort," said Huber. "(Saturday) will be the last time I bowl on the high school level."