SCHENECTADY – Columbia punched its ticket to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Bowling Championships with a dominating performance at the Section 2 Class A Tournament Thursday, Feb. 14, at Boulevard Bowl.

The Blue Devils pulled away from the rest of the field to win the team title with a pin fall of 6,207. Colonie was second with a score of 5,900, and Niskayuna finished third with a score of 5,730.

Columbia now joins Class B champion Lansingburgh as Section 2’s representatives at states. Columbia will compete in the large school division, while Lansingburgh competes in the small school division.

Jason Hahn led Columbia with a six-game series of 1,313 – the top score for any Class A bowler. Hahn also had the high triple of the day with a 691 in the morning session. Kyle Fortin contributed a six-game series of 1,250, and Zack Borgholtz followed with a 1,248 pin fall for the day.

Four Class A bowlers qualified for the six-member Section 2 team going to states to compete in the inter-sectional division: South Glens Falls’ Will Bickford, Shaker’s Francis Aiello, Guilderland’s Andrew Apollo and Niskayuna’s Dan Palmer. Bickford had a six-game series of 1,311 to lead the way for the Class A quartet. They join Johnstonw’s Mick Winton and Canajoharie’s Cian DiMezza on the Section 2 squad.

Class A
Team scores: Columbia 6,207, Colonie 5,900, Niskayuna 5,730, Mohonasen 5,519, Guilderland 5,514, South Glens Falls 5,495, Averill Park 5,490, Gloversville 5,385, Saratoga Springs 5,366, Shenendehowa 5,334, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 5,291, Amsterdam 5,204, Shaker 5,084, Schenectady 5,054, Bethlehem 4,871, Christian Brothers Academy 4,837, Troy 4,824, Albany 4,514, Ballston Spa 4,469, Queensbury 4,128

Top triples: Hahn 691, Joe Keller (AP) 690, Bickford 678

Top singles: Jeff Harris (Colo) 289, Apollo 274, Jake Dillenbeck (Schen) 269