March 15, 2019 at 3:52 p.m.
Bourcier, District 9 bowling all-stars finish third
Bourcier, District 9 bowling all-stars finish third
Bourcier, who was on the all-star team as one of the top five girls' bowlers in the Wisconsin High School Bowling Club's District 9 standings this past year, rolled a 578 series during the individual competition and was 17 of 20 with 10 strikes during the team baker portion of the competition.
"Overall it was a good showing," said Mike Bourcier, Mackenzie's father and coach of the girls' District 9 all-stars. "We can't complain with a third. It's a little letdown when you know it was there for the taking."
Mackenzie Bourcier, still battling knee and back tightness that plagued her a week prior during the WiHSBC State Championship, came out strong with games of 172 and 266 in the individual portion of the competition, but battled a sore back during the third game and shot 140. Her 578 series was just outside the top five overall for the 45 girls who participated.
"That 140 really pushed her out," Mike Bourcier said. "She could have been the top singles girl there that day, no problem. I just wish her back wouldn't have tightened up a little bit."
As a team, District 9 rolled 2,760 series and sat in second place following the individual portion of the competition. The team then shot 1,852 in 10 baker games to qualify third overall with a combined team score of 4,512 pins. District 9 lost to District 4 in the semifinals of the stepladder tournament to crown the day's champion.
The rest of the team included WiHSBC girls' singles state champion Brystal Beyer, her Manawa teammate Cassie Prill, Skylar Bricco of Amherst and Antigo's Ashlea Kreager.
Mike Bourcier said it was different coaching players from other teams, three of whom he doesn't see often. Beyer, Prill and Bricco come from the South Division of District 9, while Mackenzie Bourcier and Kreager bowl in the North Division.
"It's a little different because you're not sure of all the other girls," he said. I knew Mackenzie's game, so it was easier to make ball changes with her. But, when the other girls are struggling it's like, 'What other balls do you have? What's your game?' The point of them having fun is one key but, me knowing her game, you're hoping you're helping the team out by making the right adjustments with her opposed to making quick judgements."
Mike Bourcier called the event more of a laid back postseason tournament, and a chance for some of the top high school bowlers from around the state to bond.
"Seeing her interact with the other girls, you create a bowling relationship with these girls," he said. "You see them at other tournaments and it's like, 'Hey, how are you doing?' If they're struggling, you can give them a little input. You can say, 'Hey, I remember back here you were doing this, why don't you try that?'"
The event was the final high school activity of the season for any member of the Rhinelander/Elcho high school club team. The Rhinelander/Three Lakes middle school team competes in its District 9 conference tournament this Sunday at 5-Star Lanes in Plover.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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