Farmington-Harrison Unified bowling makes history

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

The Farmington-Harrison Unified boys bowling team had been in this position before.
In a tournament earlier in the season, Farmington-Harrison went in seeded No. 1, but fell in the first round.

So when the unified squad of Farmington Hills Harrison and Farmington High students earned another No. 1 seed, this time in the Oakland County Tournament Jan. 23 at Fairlanes Bowl in Madison Heights, it was determined to learn from the past lesson.

“We were really scared, because last time we qualified first, we got blown out,” junior Tyler Vance said. “This time, when we qualified first, it was, ‘We’re winning this. We’re taking this home.’ I don’t think losing was an option.”

Unified held true to its mantra, beating South Lyon High in the final to capture the program’s first county championship.

Coach Dennis Hermani said the team’s attention to detail in practice led to the championship.

“I think just the fact that it was a bunch of guys that worked hard over the years and respected their opponents,” he said.

South Lyon is a familiar foe to Unified, as the teams routinely meet in the state regionals, with South Lyon usually coming out ahead.

“We knew if we won, we would really deserve this, because they’re such a quality program,” Hermani said.

In Baker games, Unified beat South Lyon 390-380. On the way to the final, Farmington-Harrison dispatched Lakeland High, Lake Orion High and Waterford Kettering.

Along the way to winning the title, Vance also made history, becoming the program’s first individual county champ.

Vance bowled a three-game series of 724 with scores of 202, 255 and 267.

Following the first game, he trailed the leader by more than 50 pins.

“He got lined up and just turned on the jets after that,” Hermani said. “Tyler is arguably the most talented bowler we’ve ever had in the program; it’s just a matter of harnessing it at the right time. He did a really good job of staying composed, and when he does that … he could play with anyone in the state.”

Vance said it was by far the best three games he’s thrown in a tournament.

“That was pretty much all I had,” he said.

Making room in the history books

Vance and the boys team weren’t the only ones making history. A day after their accomplishments, senior Karla Ziemba won the first individual title for the Unified girls program by firing a three-game series of 656.

“I felt that our team had a chance, but I wasn’t sure about myself,” Ziemba said, as the girls finished third overall. “I had been going through a slump lately.”

Hermani said assistant coach Mike Clarahan made a few changes to Ziemba’s swing, and even the way she approaches tournaments.

“Mike talked to her about the mental toughness to be a champion and the ability to grind it out,” Hermani recalled. “Four days later, she’s the Oakland County champion. She’s got it.”

 You can reach Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062.