Facing Southwestern Conference foe Olmsted Falls, the Avon girls won their first SWC match of the season by nearly 200 pins, 1,570-1,394. The Eagles are now 1-1 in SWC action and 3-2 overall. On the boys side, the Bulldogs continued their undefeated season, although Avon kept things close with the visitors winning by just 58 pins, 2,358-2,300. Avon is now 2-3 overall and 0-2 in SWC action.

“Things went as expected for the girls,” said co-coach Robin McQuaid. “We pretty much have an even match when it comes to Olmsted Falls—and a lot of the teams in our conference—but we always pride ourselves on shooting for our own personal goals. We set those before each match. If you can reach your personal goal, usually, as a team, you come together and do what you need to do to win, and we did that today.”

As has often been the case thus far in the young season, Avon’s girls were led by Ava Benninghofen with a two-game series of 141-142 (283).

“Ava’s having a really great season,” said McQuaid. “She’s been really consistent. I actually put her in a spot that she’s not familiar with, which is anchor on the Baker team. She really rose to the occasion today.”

Benninghofen was backed by Grace Freeman at 149-127 (276), Kailynn Forbis at 111-159 (270), Cameron Gallup at a personal best 136-125 (261) and Juliet Triplett at 109-120 (229).

As for the boys, Olmsted Falls got off to a hot start in the first individual game, which the Bulldogs won by 117 pins. However, the Eagles cut the margin to 87 after a season’s best 965 in the second individual game and won the first Baker game by 39 pins, pulling to within 48. However, Olmsted Falls came through in the clutch, rolling strikes on the last five shots of the second Baker game to hold off Avon and win by 58 pins.

“Things went better than expected,” said co-coach Erin Loschetter. “We were playing a tough team. We knew that they were going to come out swinging, and we stepped up and actually made some very good shots. I’m very proud of the kids for keeping up with a team that is undefeated so far this season.”

Cole Corpus led the way for Avon, rolling a two-game series of 231-182 (413), a personal best. Next came Grady Stipe at 186-215 (401), followed by Bennett Ernst at 205-187 (392), Nathen Stewart at a season’s best 168-190 (358) and Austin Wolfe at 149-191 (340), also a personal best.

“I think Bennet, Cole and Grady all had great games throughout the two individual games, and then, in the Baker games, they all worked really well together,” said Loschetter. “As a team, they all showed they could step up and match them shot for shot. We came out on the short end, but they did a very good job trying to keep their composure and make those shots when they count.”

Next on the schedule for the Eagles is a match Wednesday against Black River at the Slovak Club in Lorain.