Kathy Demarko’s Sixth Annual Bowling Camp and Junior Pro Am was declared a success by all those who were interviewed at Cherry Grove Lanes. The camp took place June 10-13 and the Pro Am occurred on the 13th.

Demarko, the very successful head bowling coach at Glen Este High School, was assisted by several Clermont County high school varsity bowling coaches including Glen Este head boys coach Tom Huber and Amelia head coach Tony Kellerman.

The trio unanimously agreed that with the Ohio High School Athletic Association now recognizing bowling as an officially sanctioned sport, the importance of the instruction at the Demarko camp is now more important than ever.

“The sport of bowling can certainly include any person who wants to learn and participate,” said Demarko. “It is about time that the state recognizes bowling as an official sport.”

“I never had the opportunity to bowl on a team when I was in high school and this camp helps develop the skills of the kids and gives all of them something fun.”

“We have handicapped kids in this camp who can bowl. We have a girl who is deaf and we have another who has Downs Syndrome and they can bowl. It means so much to the handicapped to be able to bowl,” said Demarko.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for kids to learn the sport and to improve at it,” said Kellerman.

“I know all the coaches agree with me when I tell you its means a lot to us to be able to give something like bowling back to the kids,” Huber said.

The participating athletes and their respective schools are as follows.

Glen Este High School: Peter Conrady, Maddie McGinnis, Katie Georg, Shane Simpson, Andrew Schwartz, Sarah Haven, Tyler Clark, Matt Clyburn, and Noelle Beagle.

Amelia High School: Amber Kellerman and Chris Andler.

Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary: Leslie Campbell.

St. Bernadette School: Michael Wilson.

St. Thomas More School: Katie Robinson.

McNicholas High School: Marc Huber, Vincent Meyer, and Jimmy Meyer (all from Clermont County.

St. Ursula Academy: Peter Huffman.

Other campers were Shane Lienberger, Ryan Lienberger, Zack Romohr, Justin Birkley, Jack Pesnichak, Nick Pesnichak, Tyler Albers, Andrew Fehn, David Fehn, and Elliott Brose.

In addition to the high schoolers, a former high schooler who recently graduated, also brushed up and improved on his game at the camp.

Jesse Pez, who graduated from Glen Este High School last month, will be attending Morehead (Ky.) State University this fall.

It is believed he is the first Clermont countian to compete for a Division II college bowling team. The Morehead State Golden Eagles have been ranked as high as the fifth best Division II team in the United States.

At Glen Este he began his prep career as a freshman with a 114 average. His senior year he had improved his average to 206.8.

“It’s pretty awesome having just found out I may be the first Division II college bowler from Clermont County,” said Pez. He plans to major in business administration.

“I’m going to have fun,” he predicted.