Another season, another title for the East River girls bowling team.
And another honor for the leader of the three-time FHSAA state champions, on and off the lanes.
After another stellar campaign that helped the Falcons go back-to-back-to-back, charismatic junior Larielle Tharps earns a second straight Orlando Sentinel Girls Bowler of the Year honor.
“She’s really a player/coach on the team, always helping her teammates and bringing positivity to both practices and matches,” said East River coach Tom Tagye, who’s admitted he doesn’t have a bowling background. “We’re lucky to have her back for one more season.”
In addition to leading the team to another title, Tharps finished third individually after rolling 862 in four games of state qualifying. She also finished second in District 6 with a 678 three-game series.
Bowling has been a driving force in her life for a long time, with several people helping with her push to be the best.
“It comes from my family as they all bowl themselves,” Tharps said, referring to her mom Pam, her sister Brielle, and her grandmother Clara. “When they bowl, I basically bowl and it has just gotten me into a rhythm that I want to go and compete in many tournaments. To do that, you have to practice a lot.”
She has an equally obsessed bowling friend on the East River boys team.
Sophomore Francis “Pancho” Johnson was the Sentinel’s boys bowler of the year last season, and he was a great barometer for Tharps to stay on top of her game.
“My friendship with Pancho has helped me push myself to be better, especially since we bowl a lot of the same leagues and tournaments,” Tharps said. “When he’s bowling well, it pushes me to always do my best and strive for bigger things.”
That was especially true during the high school season when they had a pseudo competition between each other.
Johnson followed up his stellar freshman year with a 228 average in the regular season. Tharps wasn’t far behind with a 223 average, 279 high game and 767 high three-game series.
She was also the top individual in the Kegel High School Classic with 493 for two games to help the Falcons win that title.
East River junior Larielle Tharps averaged 223 in regular season matches and repeated as the Orlando Sentinel girls bowler of the year. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Sentinel Standouts
Savannah Herndon, Lyman sophomore
Buzz: Led the Seminole Athletic Conference with a 171 average. Had 239 high game and a two-game series of 473.
Emily Marmolejo, East River, junior
Buzz: Averaged 194 with a 277 game in the regular season. Rolled 614 in District 6, and 792 in state qualifying to finish 14th overall.
Emmy Lou Molina, East River junior
Buzz: Repeat All-Area honor came after averaging 183 with a 231 game. Had 529 series in District 6, and 743 in four state games (28th overall).
Elizabeth Marshall, Apopka,
Buzz: Repeat all-area player with a 173 average and 566 three-game series in the regular season. Shot 533 in District 7 tourney.
Camdyn Nielsen, East River senior
Buzz: No. 2 for state champs had a 210 average and 247 game. She shot 443 in the Kegel for second place, and rolled 663 in District 6.
Hannah Ruser, Windermere sophomore
Buzz: She won District 7 with a 567 series, a huge improvement after averaging 148 in the regular season. Had a 215 high game and 492 three-game series.
Cassidy Trossman, Cypress Creek senior
Buzz: Repeat All-Area bowler with 191 average and 248 game in the regular season. Scored 532 to win a district title.
Jada Vidal, East River senior
Buzz: Posted 191 average and 248 game in the regular season. Rolled 625 in District 6 and 875 in state tourney. Finished eighth.
Honorable mention
Sammie Gryl, Lake Brantley senior
Ashlinn O’Brien, South Lake junior
Mia Santiago, Lake Mary sophomore
All-area teams consist of FHSAA series participant schools in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and southwest Volusia counties. Selections were made by the Sentinel staff in consultation with area coaches.
Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be contacted by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
