Nofork Bowling wins tourney

Three area high schools sent their bowling teams to Jonesboro on Friday for the 2A/1A-East Conference Tournament, and all of their teams clinched state tournament bids.

Norfork’s boys add yet another conference championship to their immense trophy case with a team total of 4,170 pins. Calico Rock came in second with 3,738, and Izard County was fourth with 3,319.

Six area bowlers were also named All-Conference. Norfork’s Lincoln Havner was the individual winner with a 750 series, including a 299 game in his final frame. Fellow Panther Jackson Davis ended up second with a 618 series, and Izard County’s Xander McCandlis took third place with a 603. Calico Rock’s Mason Dixon came in fifth place with a 565, Blake Rasmussen was in sixth with a 559, and Korbin Stapleton in ninth with a 525.

While Concord took the girls’ title with 3,329 pins, Norfork finished second with 3,222, Calico Rock was third with 3,044, and Izard County got the last state tournament bid as they ended up fifth with 2,699.

Five area bowlers were named All-Conference on the girls’ side. Norfork was led by Emily Sharpe who took second place with a 482 series, Shelby Free finished fifth with a 465, and Jenna Rasmussen was eighth with a 422. For Calico Rock, Caroline Mitchell ended up third with a 474 series, and Kenya Spiers took fourth place with a 466. Concord’s Lissa Mansfield won the individual championship with a 569 series.

The 2A-1A State Tournament is next Wednesday, February 12th at Hijinx in Jonesboro.