STATE BOWLING: Hochman steps up game to lead Cougar boys to title

When Coronado’s Zac Hochman walked into The Orleans on Thursday afternoon, he had little idea that he would play a key role in winning the Cougars’ first state bowling title since 2005.

By the championship match against Spring Valley — leading by only 16 pins heading into Game 3 — all eyes were focused on Hochman, who turned in a near-perfect 261 in the final game as the Cougars defeated the Grizzlies, 7-2.

The first two games saw Hochman score a 193 and 182. But in Game 3, Hochman pushed his game to another level, nailing strikes in the first nine frames.

“It was a great feeling,” said Hochman, who bowled a 299 earlier this season. “I knew each pin was going to make the difference, so I concentrated on doing the best I can. I simply choked in the 10th, but this winning the title is an incredible accomplishment.”

Hochman’s 261 in the final game led the Coronado charge, while Jordan Katz rolled a 220, Joe Mortero claimed a 213 and Brandon Dauphinals put up a 181.

Spring Valley, making its first state final in school history, was led by Kevin Trieu, who finished with a 627 series score. Cody Smith added a 604 finish, while Dakota Nitz had a 601 and Spenser Blank a 557.

In the girls’ final, Silverado’s Krystal Nadeau bowled 200 or more in all three games as the Skyhawks won their first crown with a 5-4 decision over Palo Verde.

Meanwhile, the girls’ title match was one of the closest finishes ever, as Palo Verde led by just five pins heading into Game 3.

 

However, Nadeau’s 216 finish helped Silverado to the title.

“Coming back like we did shows the character of this group of girls,” Silverado coach Mark Parantala said. “At the beginning of Game 3, I told the girls to just battle like we have done all season long and make sure we finish the spares. We did just that, and winning this title is so special.”

The Skyhawks got a big lift from Nicole Santero in the all-important final game. Santero, who bowled scores of 151 and 145 in the first two games, fired a 180 in the pivotal third. In Game 3, Jewell Hopwood and Jasmine Hopwood scored a 181 and 180, respectively.

The Panthers won Game 1 by four pins and Game 2 by only one, led by Sarah Seadore’s 599 series, Jessica Lawes at 555, Shelsey Mateo at 551 and Alexandra Dammeir at 523. Averaging a score of 190 in Game 1 and 186.5 per bowler in Game 2, Palo Verde only hit an average of 180.5 and lost Game 3 by 35 pins.

 

Spring Valley    802    769    818    –2,389
Coronado          827    760    875    –2,462
Top Games—Zac Hochman, Cor, 261; Kevin Trieu, SV, 234; Brandon Dauphinals, Cor, 224.
Top Series—Hochman, Cor, 636; Trieu, SV, 627; Jordan Katz, Cor, 624; Joe Mortero, Cor, 617.

 

Silverado      756    745    757    –2,258
Palo Verde    760    746    722    –2,228
Top Games—Krystal Nadeau, Sil, 216, 214, 213; Shelsey Mateo, PV, 208.
Top Series—Nadeau, Sil, 643; Sarah Seadore, PV, 599; Jasmine Hopwood, Sil, 576; Jewell Hopwood, Sil, 563.