Large numbers, senior leaders keys to Harrison Central bowling success 

One has a solid corps of returning veterans, the other will have a lot of youth.

But both the girls and boys bowling squads at Harrison Central High School have head coach Jim Runevitch eager to get the season rolling.

With a whopping 27 bowlers on this season's roster, the biggest problem Runevitch might face is settling on a lineup. The Huskies opened the schedule Nov. 25 against St. Clairsville at JR Lanes.

"Basically, they only give you a couple weeks to get ready before the season starts,” said Runevitch.

The girls team can start with its four returning letter winners — Tayla Thompson, Jaylie Byers, Sophie Bland and Mercedes Cooper. Kimmy Eikleberry and Bralee Thomas will add senior leadership with Bland and Cooper.

"We have a good bunch of girls coming back," said Runevitch.

The rest of the Lady Huskies' roster includes Olivia Dulkoski, Lilli Smith, Suezanne Bowersock and Londyn Kolinski.

This will be Runevitch's third season in charge, and he'll once again be assisted by his son Jimmy.

But, while father and son return, they have a bit of rebuilding to do with the boys team, as six lettermenn from a year ago have moved on after graduation, leaving only Wyatt Durbin and LJ Mitchell as returnees.

"The boys’ team is going to be young — probably one senior, four sophomores and a freshman on the varsity," said Runevitch. "They are making good improvements since we started. They will probably have f(early) jitters because none of them has really bowled varsity before, except one."

In addition to Durbin and Mitchell, the rest of the Husky roster includes Aiden Pettit, Joseph Taylor, Brody Zeroski, Hunter Patterson, John Wilson, Austin Utter, Charley Miller, Aaden Albaugh, Colston Kirkpatrick, Cory Kirkpatrick, Owen Whitaccer, Fred Riester, Jai Wurschum and Gabriel Sterns. Pettit and Mitchell are the lone seniors, which bodes well for the program's future.

 “We have a lot of young bowlers this year, so that’s even better yet, a lot of freshmen and sophomores,” said Runevitch.

Due to an unfortunate accident over the summer to owner Jerry Cochran, JD Lanes will not be available to bowlers this year, leaving Valley Lanes and JR Lanes as venues for game sites. Runevitch and the entire Harrison Central bowling program wish Cochran a quick recovery.